Octomore 09.1 Dialogos

Peak and smoke, of course - you shouldn’t even be looking in Octomore’s direction if you don’t want peat - but it’s eminently drinkable, spicy and leather notes, with a long, long finish. Probably worth a splash of water to open it and make it a bit more accessible.

Really liked this scotch. Heavy rubber smell (think new tires) on the nose. Pretty high ABV. You get none of this on the palate. Waves of earthy, peaty smoke, briny salty taste continues through. Long finish.

I'm really not an Islay snob. I love a Lagavulin 16 or a Uigeadail, but some of the really hardcore stuff like Laphroaig is a bit too much like getting a vaccination. So, what am I doing with this stuff? First off, I'm not going to talk about notes of this or hints of that, because there is absolutely nothing subtle about this. Five years old, and quite pale. Not quite new make, but this stuff is barely legal. The nose has a range of about 2 blocks. Bring it into a room and everyone will be asking "what is that?" even before you remove the cork. My tastings have been straight, without water, mainly because i fear a few drops could open it up even more. It's already plenty open enough as it is. On my first sip, I laughed. "over the top" would imply there's actually a top. It was as if Yosemite Sam had stuffed my mouth full of burning peat, followed by Bugs hitting me on the head with a big puffy sledge hammer. Because things like this only happen in a cartoon. But the peat and smoke, while front and center to a laughable degree, doesn't have any sharp edges. Followed by sweetness and fruitiness (delivered via Bugs with a seltzer bottle). Then a depth an complexity of flavor leaving me wondering how you do that with only 5 years aging. You can almost chew on it. The aftertaste is delicious and will stay with you for hours. Maybe days. As I said, I'm not a huge fan of big peat. I'm also not a heavy drinker. If i have one shot a week, that's a lot. Yet, I kept coming back to this stuff. I had a shot every night for the first week after buying it. It would be a bit much to say that I love this stuff. What I will say is that i find it deeply and wildly entertaining.

Smooth, flowery bouquet with spiritus note and faint eggs notes, salatka zimowa, salted caramel on the palate, a little rough alcohol taste around edges, sweet dried fruit aftertaste

Nose : You can’t miss the peat smoke at the first scent, which is the trademark of Octomore. When extending the sniff, it is possible to distinguish the sweetness of vanilla. Taste : A journey of senses. Intense peat smoke, followed by sea water, and after sweet vanilla. Intense and dry, but smooth for 59% ABV. Finish : the finish is long, pretty long. Peat is present, than smooth oak. Adding a touch of water balances the peat with the rest, leaving place for sweet citrus, even faint caramel. An experience!! Need to try!