Octomore 12.1

Nose - Smoldering bonfire, milky sweetness, ground pepper, lemon and vanilla cream, sea salt (with water). It mellows everything slightly but tones down the pepper note. Taste - Potent bonfire smoke, ocean spray, sugary vanilla, smoked Gouda, cracked pepper, faint ash, a whisper of smoked poultry, akin to peppercorn-crusted, honey-smoked salmon (with water). The smoke diminishes, sweetness intensifies, a milky sugary flavor emerges, reminiscent of vanilla/honey syrup, smoked cheese, salt becomes more prominent at the end, a touch metallic. Finish - Persistent salty bonfire smoke, smoked cheesy sweetness, sweet cream, black peppercorns (with water). Similar, but with fewer peppercorns. Score - 83/100 Final Thoughts - This was a fascinating experience, encountering this Octomore in its most "unadulterated" form, free from significant barrel impact on the base spirit. It possesses considerable sweetness and the characteristic "funk" I associate with Bruichladdich, yet, for some reason, it struck me as overly sweet. It was as if the barrel's interior had been re-toasted and coated with sugar, giving it a sweetness comparable to maple or honey-smoked salmon, where the initial sugar level was a bit high, resulting in a candied finish rather than a glaze. It was enjoyable, but perhaps excessively sweet. If any improvement were possible, I'd say it was better overall without water, though a bit harsh neat. Unfortunately, adding water diminished the intriguing peppercorn character and somehow amplified the sweetness. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - All evaluations disregard cost.

I've made a mistake before and likely will again. I consistently find the Octomore x.1 series less preferable than the x.3 or x.2 expressions. Despite this, I repeatedly purchase the x.1, only to regret it. Thankfully, this time it was just a small sample I paid for, not a full bottle. This spirit is 59.9% ABV, matured in former American whiskey casks, and heavily peated to 130ppm – though beyond 40-50ppm, human perception of peat levels doesn't change significantly. This expression offers nothing particularly special to justify its price. For around $130-200, I would anticipate more, especially given its stated 5-year age. I'm detecting the typical lemon, peat, and brine. The taste is standard for an Islay whisky – salt, brine, lemon zest, and muted smoke. It's comparable to a cask strength Caol Ila aged 10-15 years but at half the price. So, despite not being religious, I apologize and truly regret this purchase. I promise not to buy another x.1... at least until next year, when I'll likely repeat the cycle.

AROMA Crisp, honeyed orchard fruit, smoke, malt, vanilla pastry, char, baking spice, toffee sweetness, and a bit of wax. This is simply lovely. It's warm, it's fruity, it's… unexpected. PALATE Minerality, smoke, hay-like malt, lemon curd, toffee, herbal spice, dried orchard fruit, honey, and some light char and banana chips. Darker and heavier than the aroma suggests, but also more spirit-forward with the minerality coming through. Like the aroma, the Octomore 12.2 palate has an unexpected delivery, and I'm enjoying it. FINISH Long, with smoke, brine, vanilla candy, and toffee drifting into a dry maltiness.

Very good, but less intense than I anticipated. It's certainly not for those sensitive to peated whisky, but it wasn't the powerhouse I expected. Initial impressions are positive, but I'm not amazed. It's remarkably smooth and easy to drink for a 60% ABV spirit. I detect the warmth in the back of my throat, but there's no sting in the nose or initial taste. Overall, I like it and don't regret buying the bottle, though it is somewhat different than I thought it would be. I'm looking forward to another glass another evening!

Excellent, powerful, and long-lasting, but not as well-balanced and refined as, for instance, the 10.3. The peat is intensely like gasoline – which I enjoy, don't get me wrong – but it needs an additional layer of fruit to complement it. I do detect some banana and a medical-band note on the nose once I've had a good amount from the bottle, indicating complexity, but it requires effort to find. It's a personal favorite style, but perhaps not the best version.

This is one to savor... a single serving can provide hours of enjoyment. It is precisely as expected and it's fantastic. However, I would prefer a cask strength Laphroaig 10 or Lagavulin 12 for significantly less cost.