June 23, 2015

As much Octomore as we can

Octomore, extreme whisky by Bruichladdich. Let’s be even more extreme, let’s have this wee bunch totally at random.

Octomore 5 yo 'Comus 04.2' (61%, OB, 18000 bottles, 2012)

167ppm, will that be enough? I think this one's been matured in some Sauternes casks. Will the apricot resist the peat? Colour: pale gold. Nose: I find it Laphroaiggy, which can’t be bad news. I do not know where these medicinal notes do come from – or was that the Sauternes’ botrytis? Other than that, it’s not exactly a smoke bomb, I even find it a little mellow and soft. Oh and the apricots are there. With water: new tyres replace the antiseptic. Wet paint, creosote, carbolinium… These sorts of things. Bye-bye Sauternes! Mouth (neat): huge, high-impact, citrusy smoke. What’s quite impressive is the freshness, and even if the wine’s flavours can feel a little odd at times, the whole works. A Turkish delights shop after a fire. With water: lapsang souchong favoured with orange blossom – so, so kind of earl grey. The peat is not overpowering. Finish: long, quite creamy, and rather fruity, as if the Sauternes hadn’t had its last word. Tinned peaches. Comments: I prefer the cleaner, more natural ones (such as last year’s Islay Barley), but this worked. SGP:558 - 85 points.

Another one at random…

Octmore

Octomore 5 yo 'Edition: 06.2' (58.2%, OB, travel retail, 2014)

167ppm again, this time matured in ex-Cognac Limousin oak casks. Metanoical spirit, if you will. Colour: gold. Nose: more sour fruits in this one, that is to say apples, pears and such. Also greengages, perhaps. I find a little honey as well, but other than that, it’s got more iodine than its bro, less straight medicinal notes, and more raw barley, hay, farmyard, cereals and all that. With water: a working kiln, hessian, smoked clothes (after a night around a campfire), sultanas, figs. Mouth (neat): huge arrival, very smoky, salty, with touches of grapefruits and tangerines, then raisins. Probably from the cognac. I think the combination works. There’s also more spicy French oak than in the Sauternes, with a feeling of curried ginger. With water: same feelings, plus this one: eating a whole ashtray. Finish: long, rather lemony, peaty, barleyish. Comments: rather more to my liking than the already-lovely Sauternes, but I’m sure I’d have enjoyed it even more without the sultanas. SGP:558 - 87 points.

Undeniably great whiskies, but in a line-up, they can be a little tiring… Maybe one more will be enough.

Octomore 6 yo 2008/2014 (65.8%, Rest and be Thankful Whisky Co., bourbon, cask #B000005712, 227 bottles)

There are also ex-wine bottlings by the very same company, which I have, but I’d say ex-bourbon will do just now. Colour: light gold. Nose: ah. Straight creamy pure smoky oily lemony whisky. Sharp, whistle-clean, pure, chiselled. With water: manure, grains, porridge, grass smoke, garden bonfire, bread dough (baguette from thirty minutes ago). Mouth (neat): yah! I need my palate! With water: perfect. Huge smoke, fish oil, lime, mezcal. That’s right. Finish: very long, with some lemon, pickled gherkin, kippers, and then more and more lemony white mezcal (Minero and stuff – BTW, more mezcals soon on WF!) Comments: one of the blade-y ones. That is to say the ones that I prefer. SGP:459 - 90 points.

Check the index of all Octomore I've tasted so far