Octomore 10 Year Second Edition (2016 Release)

Bruichladdich Masterclass, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 19 February 2018, Whisky #6 Nose: Rich leathery and earthy peat smoke. Softly oily and embracing. A cloud of evocative smoke that, enveloping as it is, cannot hide aromas of orange and lemon peel, apples, peaches, apricots, toffee, tobacco and ocean breakers. Beautiful oak notes that lend a touch of vanilla. Palate: Initially dry like a crisp dry white wine, then suddenly sweet citrus flavours come rolling in on briny vapours like a surfer riding a glistening arc of smoke. Lime, grapefruit, lemon, sweet persimmon, cantaloupe, mango, and white grapes. Licorice and salmiak. I agree with the official tasting notes here - this is a complex, ever-changing palate. Finish: Long. Very long. Floral, fruity, slightly briny and fading out eventually on sweetly gentle smoke with a touch of earthy oak, and leaving an aftertaste that lasts literally hours. Despite the mad peating level of the barley, by the time most Octomores make it into the glencairn the nose has tamed down a good deal, to the point that they smell less peated than many whiskies that only declare a level of around 40ppm. However this is different. This smells and tastes quite definitely of peat smoke, but the smoke is held in check by the softening of expert wood maturation. It's not as "sharp" as the typical Octomore smoke, it's soft but full - more like Benromach smoke. I am overjoyed that this whisky exists. Given that peat smoke decreases quickly with age it would be tempting for Bruichladdich to release everything very young so their peat monster was always as vigorous as possible. However this whisky proves that not only can Octomore withstand 10 years in ex-white wine barrels, it benefits from the treatment. The strange thing is that even though the peating level should logically be reduced compared with the 5 year matured expressions, it somehow seems to be enhanced by the extra time in casks. Whatever the reason, it is certainly a sweeter, rounder, more subtle and sophisticated type of smoke. I've tasted 6 Octomores now, including this one (6.1, 6.3, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3) and I have a sample of 5.1 waiting in the cupboard to try some time. I've not tried any of the 8 series, but of all those I've tried so far this was my favourite. Maybe I just don't like Octomore so young and prefer the softening that 10 years brings. Whatever the reason, I recommend this heartily, and it's the first Octomore I've given 5 stars. Welcome to the top shelf, if I can find a bottle. "Outstanding" : 90/100 (5 stars)

This smells somewhat sweet in a meaty way and also richly woody. There's a lot of salt on the nose and also some char and chocolate, along with a hint of dark fruit. It smells complex and interesting. It's rich with lots of peat and smoke, giving it a meaty iodine taste with some hints of dark berry sweetness it's quite good. The finish is rich and grainy with creamy dark chocolate notes. Adding water, the tobacco element of the peat is there, but the creamy chocolate is also white present.combining the grain flavor, there is a bit of a custard hint. It reminds me of my first impressions of Laphroaig 10. It's sweet enough and brings in some oil and sweet nuttiness (almond). The flavor could use a bit more fruit at this point but it still works well. The spices and herbal flavors aren't absent, but they take a back seat. It's quite hedonistic, but not terribly complex. This is a quite tasty scotch that is thoroughly enjoyable, though not a masterpiece.

A big surprise for me. The peat is actually somewhat subdued and not significantly stronger than a Laphroaig and maybe a bit less than Ardbeg’s Wee Beastie. The flavours are complex and layered. Peat, smoked meat, spice (high abv?), fleeting fruit. The abv drinks well and a couple of drops of water actually makes the nose and the palette bolder and more aggressive. You have to add a lot of water to cut it and that flattens it out too much. Neat I get a sweet sticky finish (wine barrel?) but not overly long. Not as hot or smokey as I expected. Actually quite well balanced considering it’s cask strength. Totally worth a try. Worth a buy? No. If you want smoke there is more for much lower prices, think Wee Beastie. If you want complexity and peat, Uigeadail, Lore or Laphroaig PX, are better for less money.

The Octomore 10 (2nd edition) is with 167ppm a real peat monster. Presented right after the 169pp Octomore 7.3 at a Bruichladdich Masterclass, it appeared to be a tad smoother, and somewhat sweeter, but that’s not a minus, really. The extra five years of maturation tempers the smoke a bit, and the partial maturation in white wine cask is quite obvious, and certainly adds some tropical, fruity tones. Both the nose and the palate are pretty impressive and complex, and make it really hard to choose between this one and the 7.3… Actually, I’d take either one of these, any time, without any hesitation… :)

Finally found an Octomore in the wild! Very excited. Nose: obviously smoke and peat. Campfire, floral notes, sweetness, some eucalyptus perhaps? Taste: Definitely peaty, which is good. Some spice. Mouthfeel is watery/oily/light. Some motor oil tastes as well which is welcome. Finish: short to medium with smoke and peat bombing through in a spicy manner. It’s as advertised - a huge peaty, smoky dram and some spice to top it off. I don’t know why I expected more complexity with a ppm level this high, but I did. It’s beautiful for what it is and a celebration of Islay.

Very smoky but honestly one of the best smoky whimsies I’ve tasted by far! It has a great mixture of floral and slight citrus sweetness to it to match that smoky peat. Oily on the palate in a great way, the flavour lingers nicely afterwards giving it a subtle floral and pest note in the background. I’ve never really been a fan of peat flavours but this one was on a whole different level, one that I know I could definitely enjoy more often! Solid whiskey, definitely a strong buy!