The second installment in Bruichladdich’s Octomore Series 16, 16.2 takes the core Octomore blueprint and stretches it with bold cask influence. Like 16.1, it's distilled from 100% Scottish mainland-grown Concerto barley malted to 101.4 ppm peat. However, for its maturation, it spends four years in Oloroso and Bordeaux wine casks, followed by a one-year finish in Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel casks—a layering of wine cask character that adds pronounced fruit, sweetness, and complexity to the peated spirit.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep copper with rich reddish-amber tones.
Nose: Savory and vinous—think red fruit, damson plum, grape skins, and raisin mingled with subtle candied peel. Behind that, smoke emerges gently, with salty sea mist and nutty undertones.
Palate: Rich and lavish. The sweet wine casks infuse stewed figs, raisin, caramelized nuts, and prune, balanced by vibrant peat smoke and maritime salt. On the mid-palate, citrus zest (orange) and dark chocolate interplay with oak spice.
Finish: Medium to long, with lingering smoke, red wine reduction, and a touch of cocoa bitterness. The wine influence softens but stays present, allowing the peat to fade gradually into salty ash and dried fruit.
Distillery Character & Craft
Octomore is known for pushing peat boundaries—and 16.2 continues the tradition. It maintains the high-ppm peat backbone (101.4 ppm) while introducing a more wine-driven maturation narrative. The use of Oloroso, Bordeaux, Madeira, and Moscatel casks deepens the flavor, highlighting how cask influence can elevate even intense peat. Bruichladdich positions 16.2 as an exploration of “smoking red wine” in whisky form.
Collector’s Note
As part of the limited Octomore Series 16, 16.2 is a must-have for peat lovers who crave depth beyond raw smoke. Its complexity, layered cask treatment, and expressive wine character make it a standout among high-peat releases. For those comparing siblings in the series (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, eventual 16.4), this version often earns praise for its balance of smoke and vinous richness.
Technical Details
Barley: 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley, malted to 101.4 ppm peat
Cask Maturation: 4 years in Oloroso & Bordeaux wine casks, then 1-year finish in Madeira & Moscatel casks
Age: 5 Years (total maturation)
ABV: 58,1%
Filtration / Colouring: Non-chill filtered, natural colour (standard for Octomore releases) (implied by series practice)
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.
