The Cask Whisperer: Jim McEwan's Private Stock 2020 - Octomore 2011

Nose: Smells like vanilla custard, caramel, lemon/orange zest, salt, and unripe pineapple (unchanged with water). Taste: Bright smoke, fresh lemon zest, sweet pear/apple, white pepper heat, and pineapple (unchanged with water). With water, the mouthfeel is much thinner, like coconut milk, very creamy/waxy, with pineapple and tropical fruit, plus habanero heat. Finish: Salt, light smoke, light bitter burnt sugar (unchanged with water). The finish remains similar but gains a waxier, coconut cream character. Score: 91/100 Final Thoughts: This required some time to open up; initially, it was hard to get a good read on the aroma. Once it settled, the aroma started to emerge, though the smoke was still quite subtle. On the palate, it presented as a clean, bright, and vibrant fruity smoke. I detected notes of lemon zest for brightness, but it wasn't particularly lemony. I eventually identified the taste as a mildly sweet, fruity, but not tart pineapple, similar to a white pineapple. A subtle saltiness is present throughout, and adding water gave it a pleasant coconut cream mouthfeel. Overall, it's very enjoyable with nothing off-putting. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.