Octomore 07.2/208 Cask Evolution

I located this sample behind some knickknacks on my refrigerator's top shelf. It was sent by a friend, likely in a trade from over a year ago. It's been even longer since I last had the Octomore 7.1. It's definitely time to open this one, so let's begin... The Octomore 7.2 is a 5-year-old, heavily peated spirit from Bruichladdich. This was the final series where the master distiller Jim McEwan was involved, ensuring it was the most heavily peated ever at 208ppm. The 7.2 was a mix of whisky aged in former American oak and French Shiraz wine casks. It's bottled at 58.5% and I believe the price was just under $200. This was also considered a travel retail edition, making it more limited. In the glass, it's a dull yellow with very oily and thin legs. Tiny droplets also appear after vigorous swirling. The aroma is typical Octomore: ashy peat and BBQ smoke with a hint of salted fish. Tar and a slight band-aid note add a unique funk I don't recall from other Octomores I've tasted (though it's been a while and I've forgotten a lot since then, haha). The usual Shiraz wine characteristics aren't noticeable on the nose; I'm missing the grape must, tannins, and dark chocolate – the peat is simply too dominant. The palate is intensely rich, full of peat and salty sea air. The BBQ flavors are subdued here. I did detect some dark chocolate notes after adding a splash of water to the sample, but it also brought out some citrus rather than the expected wine fruitiness. The mouthfeel remains luscious and somewhat heavy, but that's par for the course with Octomore. There's surprisingly little heat from the extremely high ABV, but we all understand the reason for that. The finish is longer and spicier than I remember from other Octomores, which I really like. Actually, I LOVE that aspect. As the smoke and earthy peat tang fade, it becomes drier, yet there still aren't enough wine fruits to suggest the Shiraz casking. It's not a disappointment, just an observation. Ultimately, this is still an excellent dram. I enjoy the persistent peat and salt assault, and the richness lingers, almost making you submit. The lack of heat is slightly unnerving, as I could easily keep pouring from the bottle if it were in front of me. It's not superior, and honestly, not significantly different from my notes on the 7.1, so there's no compelling reason to seek out this exclusive bottling over the 7.1. It still doesn't quite reach the level of Series 6, but I wouldn't discard this bottle either. I'd rate it 3.75-4 stars, perhaps stretching to 4.25 when I'm in an Octomore mood. If Bruichladdich continues producing these, I'll keep sampling them. Cheers. On another note, regarding a friend – please check out his new YouTube channel, Dapper Drams. If you appreciate whisky reviews with humor and fun, you'll be pleased. If you look closely, you might even see me occasionally. Please support his efforts with a Like and perhaps a Subscribe. Thank you.

Nose: Smelling it neat, the first impression is a powerful wave of oily, herbal, smoky peat, as expected. Following the initial smoke, I detected notes of honey, a hint of citrus, and subtle spices like caraway, cardamom, fennel, and anise. A faint rubbery scent is also present. Dilution intensifies the smoky, peaty aromas. Palate: Tasting it neat, there's a surprisingly smooth and fruity entry, supported by a substantial cushion of smoky peat. It has a rich, sweet character with hints of berries, oranges, and honey, along with some lemony citrus. Despite its complexity, the palate is relatively straightforward, dominated by these key flavors. The texture is pleasantly oily, balancing the drying effect of the high alcohol content, yet it remains hot on the tongue and feels somewhat constrained and difficult to fully access. This restraint seems particularly pronounced in this high-proof spirit. Finish: As anticipated, it's long, fruity, and spicy. The sweet smoke returns and eventually fades as the final impression. Only after some time does the full extent of its smokiness and peatiness become apparent. An enjoyable experience overall, but while it has some pleasant aspects, it's not the best Octomore I've tasted. This robust whisky is hesitant to reveal its full character. It requires water to unlock its hidden berry and grape flavors and aromas, but it is very sensitive to dilution. The right amount of water brings it to life with a burst of fruity goodness; however, even a slight excess renders it flat, dusty, and dull. It's worth trying for the experience, but I wouldn't recommend purchasing a full bottle. “Good”: 84/100 (3.75 stars)

Tonight I'm comparing the Octomore 07.1 and 07.2, following up on the 07.3 I reviewed a few days ago. First, the 07.2. This 5-year-old Islay malt comes in at 58.5% ABV, is non chill filtered, and has a natural golden amber color. It boasts an impressive 208 ppm. It was matured in a mix of ex-bourbon American oak barrels and European oak casks that previously held French Shiraz/Syrah wine. This version is a travel retail exclusive that I purchased at the US-Canadian border. The aroma presents lovely peat smoke. It's not an overpowering smoke, but rather a lighter, more accessible one. I also get heather honey, red berries, and hints of sweet red wine. There are notes of red grapes, cereal malt, and a touch of maraschino cherries. It's quite sweet, but definitely on the lighter end. More fruit appears, like peach, apricot, pear, and a bit of spearmint. It certainly reveals its youth. The taste is loaded with peppery peat smoke. Sweetness comes through with red wine and grapes, plus berries. Light oak, cherries, and honey are present. There are some bonfire ashes and a slightly medicinal note reminiscent of Laphroaig. It has a medium body with a light oiliness that becomes slightly dry. The finish is medium in length, featuring red fruits and smoky lemons. The wine casks contributed an extra fruity dimension that added a pleasant depth. However, similar to the 07.3, it shows its youth and a general absence of true complexity. On the bright side, it's very easy to drink even with its high ABV. You don't need much to enjoy your evening. 4.25 Cheers

Aged 5 years, 58.5% ABV. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in ex-Syrah casks from France's Rhone Valley. Purchased for $182 as a travel retail exclusive. This is the sole x.2 Octomore I've sampled, and as often happens with travel retail exclusive bottlings, it falls short. It's still a pleasant dram, just not worth the $182 price tag. Red wine and volcanic ash is an odd pairing. While I enjoy the explorations of peat and red wine found in Springbank's Longrow Red range, those expressions suggest wine needs more alcohol and some peat. Octomore 7.2 flips this concept: does a peat powerhouse need more wine? No. It doesn't surpass the x.1 versions. The 6.1, the most accessible Octomore locally, is significantly better without the wine finish. Adding water is essential for this 7.2; without it, you're left with an unpleasant ash flavor tainted by Syrah. Even with water, it only amplifies the rich, savory notes already plentiful in the standard 6.1 and 7.1. The initial taste is remarkably gentle given the high proof, but this one also concludes with a more pronounced bitterness than the x.1s. SCORE: 88/100. Not advised. For an Octomore purchase, consider the x.1 and x.3 variants.

Opened May 27, 2018, and finished April 12, 2019. Bruichladdich Distillery Official Bottling Octomore Edition 07.2 5 years old 58.5% ABV Bottled in 2015 I appreciate Octomore. Some see them as a novelty. Tasting the best ones blind reveals their genuine quality. An age statement doesn't always signify maturity; the finest Octomores could easily be mistaken for a 20-something-year-old Islay whisky. However, 7.2 isn't among the superior Octomores I've sampled. The Syrah wine finish imparts acidity. Combined with intense salty and smoky notes, it evokes salted fish left out in the sun, raising questions about its edibility. This finish makes the 7.2 seem younger than the 7.1, introducing unwelcome metallic notes. Despite this, it remains a good whisky. Like all Octomores, it possesses significant earthy funk and heavy black ash. The immediate thought is "intense." For around $200, though, other Octomores offer better value. Rating (excluding price): 89 / 100 Purchase Satisfaction (including price): 2.5 / 5

My top pick from the 7 series Ocmore. The.2 is typically a wine cask finish, and this Syrah cask finished expression was my favorite. It's tough to find in Australia, being a Duty Free exclusive, but I've managed to get my hands on 3 bottles already and I'm eager for more! Be prepared to give this dram some time to breathe; it needs air to reveal its complete personality. Beyond the brininess, the aroma offers smoked fish, chocolate fudge, charred orange zest, licorice, and barley sugar. It's an immense aroma, matched by a palate that delivers equally on the tongue. It's dangerously intricate, featuring honey (beeswax), agave (just like mezcal), licorice pieces, and the constant peat. The finish is remarkably bourbon-like, with cherry, vanilla, and chocolate notes, yet it never becomes overly sweet, thanks to the peat providing excellent balance. I adore this whisky and wish the Dialogos range could reach the same quality. The 8.2 was nearly there, but sadly, I doubt we'll ever encounter Octomores as exceptional as the Commus, 5.1, 6.3, 7.1, 7.2, 8.2, and the 10-year-old second edition again. It's a real pity, as the foundational spirit is always excellent, but it's missing a vital element... Jim McEwan.