Octomore 07.1/208 Scottish Barley

Revisiting my earlier assessment, now that I'm halfway through the bottle. This spirit is like Pulp Fiction: each time you partake, it improves further.... The tasting notes remain the same, but it's simply starting to captivate me: it presents as significantly older than its actual age, and its unique qualities, which initially led me to rate it 3.5, now push it to 4.5. It's undeniably a bold product, yet truly commendable. Perhaps by the end of the bottle, I'll reach a 5.0 rating.... My previous assessment follows: What can I say, calling it unique is an understatement. A whisky that leaves me puzzled. The intense peatiness doesn't actually mask other aromas. On the nose, besides peat, I'd detect gasoline and burnt rubber. Not exactly exciting. On the palate, the high alcohol content isn't noticeable initially, leading to a surprisingly smooth spirit. Sweetness, like cream and honey cake, then a chemical sharpness emerges, making it slightly bitter. It almost resembles medicine. Subsequently, the tongue and palate become numb, leaving an incredibly long and unexpectedly sweet, honeyed finish. The ending is undeniably its finest aspect. However, the price impacts the rating, as it's excessive: the production process might be as challenging as you claim, but €160 for a 5-year-old is too much. I'm not like a certain reviewer who I suspect doesn't pay for the spirits he tastes, but he's certainly a tasting professional and can thus evaluate a whisky at its best, whereas I assign scores based on whether I enjoy the whisky or not: (but ultimately, what are we discussing? That reviewer also gives high marks to whiskies he likes!!!) so to the question, "would I still spend that €160 after tasting it?" I would answer "no"..... ______________________________________________________________________________ Revisiting my previous note, now halfway through the bottle. This whisky is like Pulp Fiction: every time you drink it, it becomes more and more good.... The tasting notes are the same, it's just starting to fascinate me: it seems much older than it really is, and its particularities that at first made me evaluate it 3.5, now make me move to 4.5. A product that is undoubtedly courageous, but truly valid. Maybe at the end of the bottle I will reach a 5.0 evaluation.... Below my previous note: What can I say, calling it particular is an understatement. A whisky that puzzles me. The ultra peatedness in reality doesn't cover other aromas. On the nose, I'd say, besides peat, gasoline and burnt rubber. Not exciting therefore. On the palate, the high alcohol content isn't felt at first, for a surprisingly soft whisky. Sweet, cream and honey cake, then a chemical hit arrives that makes it a little bitter. Let's say it seems a bit like medicine. Then the tongue and palate become anesthetized and leave an incredibly long and unexpectedly sweet and honeyed finish. The ending is undoubtedly the best part of it all. However, the evaluation is affected by the price, which is exaggerated: the production process may be as difficult as you want, but €160 for a 5yo is too much. I'm not a certain reviewer who I don't think pays for the whiskies he tastes, but he is certainly a tasting professional and therefore he is able to evaluate a whisky at best, while I assign marks if I like whisky or not: (but in the end What are we talking about? That reviewer will also give high marks to whiskies he likes!!!) so to the question "would I spend those €160 anyway after tasting it?" I would answer "no".....

I remember when and where I first tried an Octomore. It was in 2013 at Jack Rose Saloon, and the pour was the 5.1/169. I was really discovering my love for peated scotches, and it was recommended I try it. Unquestionably, the entire evening was memorable. Since then, I hadn't had an Octomore until now, thanks to a sample generously provided by a friend. And on this cold night, it's perfect for a nightcap. The aroma is peaty, but not overwhelming. It evokes sea spray on a bleak winter day, with sulfur and ozone mixed with vanilla and brown sugar. There's a subtle hint of fruitiness, like Granny Smith apples and apricots. A deep, rich, sooty smoke arrives, intensely peppery. A syrupy brown sugar sweetness with lemon tartness emerges once the tingling sensation fades. The pins and needles sensation returns with the peatiness towards the finish. A long-lasting finish of ash with lemon zest and salted caramel. The peat-smoke is as advertised. It's not overly complex. Its youthful, energetic character makes it somewhat unpredictable and lively. Adding a few more years to this (I'd guess it's around 8 years old) would make it an excellent whisky. I adore Bruichladdich, and peated whiskies are my favorite. However, I can purchase a Lagavulin 16 or an Ardbeg/Laphroaig 10 for a fraction of this scotch's price and still enjoy a fantastic peaty scotch. That being said, it's worth a pour for dedicated "peat heads". [88/100][Tasted: 3/16/18]

Bruichladdich Masterclass, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, February 19, 2018, Whisky #4 Smell: Gently smoky at first, like all Octomores, but somewhat more ashy than typical. Mild old oak and a distinct iodine note with some lemon zest and barley sugar, but no sea saltiness. Resin or eucalyptus - something sharply oily and aromatic. With water, there's a solvent and nutty aroma, but it remains a strangely cool and reserved smell. Taste: Spicy, oaky, and astringent right away. Grassy, but not herbal - just grassy. There's also a lemon-drop candy flavor, almost like artificial lemon. Intense smoke begins to develop with each sip, and adding water brings out more lemon and nuts. Good texture. Finish: A long, dry, and slightly nutty conclusion with the expected smoke. Predictable - that's the word. What a regrettable descriptor for any whisky, but that's my assessment. Not among the most captivating I've sampled - almost as spirit-forward as a can of gasoline. I prefer Port Charlotte to Octomore, and that might be the issue here, as I tasted this immediately after the delightful Port Charlotte Islay Barley. It would be interesting to sample this in isolation, but I won't buy a bottle just for that purpose. Anyway, Frankenstein's bride always appealed to me more than the monster himself. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

EXPLORATION: (Warning: Overly descriptive language) Initially intense, but ultimately satisfying. The aroma has smoke and wood, but it's not overpowering. It evokes the scent of burning logs on a breezy summer day and a campfire under the stars. There's a rich, almost wine-like quality present. It feels warming and inviting. Upon tasting, you're met with dark fruit and a robust peat that never dominates. It encourages you to relax and settle in, much like finding a comfortable chair by the fire with your favorite book. It's a moment for reflection and enjoyment. The finish lasts a long time. I admit the descriptive language is a bit much, but this was truly excellent and warrants further investigation. Its rarity makes one curious about other undiscovered spirits. I'm giving it 4.5 stars to allow for the possibility of an even better, unknown dram. EXHORTATION: Keep searching, seeker. I'd advise purchasing it, but it's rare and costly. A single serving might be all that's possible.

On the nose, I detect aromas of overripe banana, sea air, lemon oil, caramel, vanilla, cigar tobacco, raw almonds, mint leaves, and peat with a hint of milk chocolate and Reese's peanut butter. - On the palate, it's very spirit-forward with rich, malty grain notes, light fruit, and billowing smoke. Flavors include wood spice, charred oak, honey, lemon zest, pineapple, damp tree bark, and vanilla pudding. - The finish is very smoky and drying with earthy spices and oak, leaving hints of saltwater and sweet citrus. — With added water, the nose becomes slightly lighter, reminiscent of freshly baked blondies. The palate is soft with more intense salt and pepper notes and a zest of candied citrus. The finish extends with sweet smoke and dry oak. —//— Malt Score: 94

Aroma: Sweet peat, pineapple beverage, kelp, toffee, fudge, walnuts, smooth vanilla, overripe banana (what an aroma). Taste: A surge of spice, ocean mist, potent peat, tangerines, limes, toffee, and nectar. Finish: An extended, zesty, and mouth-prickling finish with hints of peat smoke, lemons, sweet nectar, and a touch of soot. The streaks on the glass are incredible. Like pure molasses in a glass. What a layered drink. The aroma continues endlessly. The taste features delightful peat with layers of citrus, sugary confections, and coastal influence. The finish tingles the tongue, coats the mouth, and seems to go on forever. The finish concludes with a blend of everything... sweetness and peatiness. This is awesome.