Octomore 16.3 is a high-provenance edition in Bruichladdich’s Series 16, where every drop begins with barley grown exclusively in Church Field on Octomore Farm, Islay. Distilled to 189.5 PPM peat, this expression is matured full term for five years in a blend of bourbon, Sauternes, and Pedro Ximénez casks. It is bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, capturing pure intensity, terroir and smoke
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep copper with warm amber tones, reflecting its rich cask maturation.
Nose: A bold opening of smoked peat, salted sea air, and charred oak. Beneath the smoke lies honeyed malt, toasted grain, ripe orchard fruits, and a delicate scent of dried apricot or raisin.
Palate: Robust yet layered. The smoke is present but integrated—think dark chocolate, burnt caramel, and toasted nuts, with orchard fruits (pear, apricot) and citrus peel weaving through. The wine cask influence adds a fruit-drenched sweetness and complexity. Threads of salinity, earthiness, and ash ground the sweetness.
Finish: Medium to long: lingering barley sweetness, soft floral echoes, and a gradual fade of smoke, citrus, and fine peat ash. A touch of minerality remains at the end.
Distillery Character & Craft
Octomore is dedicated to pushing boundaries of peat, provenance, and cask influence. With 16.3, the focus is on single-field barley and extremely high peat, balanced by a bold cask program. This bottling reflects both brute strength and nuance—showcasing how terroir, peat, and wood can coexist in thoughtful harmony.
Collector’s Note
As part of the Series 16 releases, 16.3 is especially notable for its ultra-high peat level, single-field barley provenance, and ambitious maturation. It appeals to seasoned peat lovers and serious collectors who enjoy comparing sibling expressions (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) to taste how casks and barley source shape character.
Technical Details
Barley Source: 100% from Church Field, Octomore Farm, Islay
Peat Level: 189.5 PPM
Maturation: 5 years in bourbon, Sauternes, and Pedro Ximénez casks
Age: 5 Years
ABV: 61,6%
Volume: 700ml
Filtration / Colouring: Non-chill filtered, natural colour (no added color)
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.