Octomore 06.3/258 Islay Barley

I recently acquired two of these powerful bottles. There might be only a handful of this particular expression left in the entire country, and one store still has a couple. With an extremely high peat level, this spirit retains its title as the most peaty in the world! The owner of the shop not only provided an excellent price but also allowed a sample before buying. My initial impression of this bottling was even more impactful than my previous review of another high-peat expression. On the nose, there's an array of natural fragrances and coastal peatiness that is uniquely complex. The peat sits like a dormant explosive, with citrus and honeyed vanilla layered on top, waiting for the right conditions to unleash its intensity. Incredibly smooth for its high alcohol content, the first warm sip unfolds into a brilliant experience, fitting for a celebratory occasion. The nose carries through to the palate, where the young peatiness is more refined and elegant than in a previous tasting, seemingly restrained to maintain balance. The finish is a memorable, drawn-out success that brings immense satisfaction. After some experimentation, ice was needed to temper the intensity and cool down a perfect day with loved ones. Commendations to the retired master distiller for one of his final creations.

Wow. My wife, some pals, and I sampled some of this whisky at Miami Whiskey Mash earlier this month. Honestly, I'd been questioning the Octomore buzz before this event. My first experience with Octomore was the 07.3, and I didn't really like it, finding its flavor profile so odd that it seemed more like a barrel-aged gin than a whiskey. That experience put me off this series, especially given its steep price and scarcity. Why seek out something like that? Well, I was wrong. Octomore 06.3 is an exceptional peated whisky, and it was famously the peatiest scotch available before Bruichladdich surpassed themselves with recent bold releases in the 8th series. Experiencing the peat in Octomore 06.3 is like hearing Beethoven's 5th Symphony for the first time: an overwhelming wave of pure, intense power. My chest hairs grew, my voice deepened... like a quick, five-minute burst of accelerated puberty, minus the acne and the extreme awkwardness around girls. It had notes of rich Cuban cigar smoke and freshly extinguished candles, but it wasn't really balanced by much else. And I loved it. The asphalt or rubber notes found in Lagavulin are present here too, along with some earthier, mossier peat. It truly showcases almost every flavor a peat enthusiast could find in a whisky.

Considerably richer and more profound than expected at 258ppm. All the elements I appreciate in Port Charlotte were amplified immensely, displaying a magnificently textured, intricate spirit – honey, salt, chocolate malt, young barley, black tea, preserved herring, and a subtle spice. The smoke and ash reside beneath the palate, carrying it into a long, full-bodied conclusion of honey, salted caramel, oil, and smoke. This was a superb whiskey, easily among my top selections from this distillery and my preferred Octomore bottling to date.

In some ways, my critical judgment falters when I experience Octomore. This is precisely the kind of whisky I favor: heavily peated Islay, at an astonishing 258 ppm (for reference, Ardbeg is 55 ppm), and it tastes divine. What's not to appreciate? And yes, I will accept the notion that terroir is significant. Islay barley from Lorgba Field, Octomore Farm - I'm convinced. It's hard to imagine much better. This one is dialed up to eleven, believe me, if you can locate it.

258 ppm... that says it all. Not only is it intensely smoky and peppery on the palate, but the finish feels like your mouth is ablaze (and might ignite if you exhale near a flame). Despite that, the spirit itself is remarkably smooth. A rare and wonderful find if you get the chance.

I purchased this not long after attending a tasting led by the renowned Jim McEwan before he retired. The high ppm might surprise some, but stick with it, and it will take you on an incredible journey through its aroma, texture, taste, and extraordinary finish.