All those that have been eagerly awaiting Bruichladdich distillery's annual festival, wait no more! It's back for another year and along with it, two exciting new expressions!

The two expressions are the Octomore Polyphonic as well as the Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock'ndaal 2025 Edition.

The Polyphonic follows in a long and esteemed line of Octomores, and also holds the honor of being oldest Octomore expression released to date at 15 years old.

Inspired by the neon energy of '80s remix albums, films, and video games, the Polyphonic bottle features a retro visualisation of Octomore farm, with the depicted landscape and tractor paying homage to the Islay terroir and creative process.

This special release is comprised of two distinct elements: iconic Octomore expressions from previous years that are further matured in casks, and exceptional single cask spirits that are entirely new!

In the Polyphonic is:

• 2005 first fill Grenache single cask: Unreleased and peated to 167.6 PPM.

• 2007 first fill Bourbon barrel: The ‘Octomore of Octomore’. The first Octomore spirit ever distilled using malting barley specifically grown at the eponymous Octomore Farm, and featured in Rock’ndaal 01.1 Fèis Ìle 2022. Peated to 173.8 PPM.

• 2009 second fill Sauternes single cask: Unreleased and peated to 208 PPM.

• Octomore 6.3: The original 6.3 spirit (aged in Bourbon and Syrah casks) has been further aged in second fill Bourbon barrels. Peated to 258 PPM.

• Octomore Masterclass 8.2: Various wine casks and recasked into first fill Amarone casks for one year before bottling. The original 8.2 spirit has been further aged in refill Bourbon barrels. Peated to 167.4 PPM.

• Octomore Masterclass 8.4: Virgin oak casks, peated to 170 PPM.

• Octomore Event Horizon, Fèis Ìle 2019: An exclusive bottling for Fèis Ìle 2019, matured in Oloroso and PX Sherry casks. Peated to 162.6 PPM.

The expression is said to have a nose comprising of oak, sweet cinder toffee, vanilla fudge, dark chocolate, sea salt, burnt orange, barbeque smoke, subtle hints of liquorice and ripe cherry. Of course, there is also that delicate honeysuckle note the distillery is known for. 

On the palate, the distillery promises freshly baked pastry and coffee, golden syrup, subtle minerality, sea salt, warm sand and beach bonfire all atop a layer of oak.

On the finish, there is apparently soft seasoned oak with peat smoke some lingering sea spray.

On the other hand, there's the Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock'ndaal 2025 Edition at 53.3% abv and 40PPM.

This exceptionally rare, one-off exclusive has been exclusively aged for 19 years in a Moscatel sherry cask on Islay. 

Taking its cue from the lichen that colors the rocks near Port Charlotte, the vibrant yellow bottle is a tribute to the spirit's island origin. Although Port Charlotte has been offered as a distillery-exclusive for hand-filling, the Rock'ndaal 2025 Edition represents its inaugural official single cask release.

This expression is said to have a nose of smoked cinder toffee, toasted bread and stoned fruit jam with a hint of sea spray and warm sand. There are also notes of tropical fruit like sweet melon and ripened peaches along with Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke. Some oak also allows aromas of orange blossom and jasmine to build.

On the palate, there is reportedly candied fruits, brown sugar and rich toasted oak with waves of peat smoke. There is also some sweetness from Moscatel grape imbued into the character of the spirit.

On the finish, there is apparently gentle dry peat smoke, the rich sweetness of fruit, toasted mellow oak that finishes cleanly.

Only 667 bottles are available, also available on the festival's site!

The Bruichladdich Distillery's famous Rock'ndaal Festival is their annual open day event held as part of the Fèis Ìle (the Islay Festival of Music and Malt). An annual affair, it is accompaniede by masterclasses, live music and special edition releases! This year, it is even streamed online for Bruichladdich fans across the world.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team