Octomore 11.3

Fascinating savory bouquet of dried smoked little fish in a sunny open market with salty air rising off the sea nearby, boiled peanuts, lemon curd, approaching summer storm on a humid day, whiffs of musty closet and Dr. Pepper with a palate to match including lemon curd, peanut oil, root beer barrel candies, and unprocessed gray sea salt on a long finish with a medium burn that is not overpowering.

Pour from Standard Bottle.

The nose rich with bold flavors starting with coffee rubbed smoked brisket, lemon gelato and burning hay bales then toasted marshmallow, dark chocolate covered almonds and seaside rocky minerality followed by sautéed cinnamon apples and candy peach rings that transitions to ginger, popsicle sticks and gauze bandages with high ethanol burn. The taste is a rich creamy mouthfeel starting with a mild spice that quickly fades to pear tarte, coffee rubbed brisket and charred lemon then dark chocolate mocha, burning hay and seaside rocky minerality followed by sautéed apples and nectarines that transitions to ginger, black pepper and gauze bandages with high ethanol burn. The finish is long with dark chocolate covered candied bacon, espresso, light ocean brine, burning hay, sautéed apples, candied lemon peel, ginger, popsicle sticks and gauze bandages that lingers for minutes. Just like the 11.1 this needed around 20 minutes to open up as the ethanol overpowers the flavors when first poured but with time and a few drops of water those intense and rich flavors emerged with earthy spice rubbed smoked meats leading followed by a candied citrus, hay, ocean brine and mild spices that carries over to the palate with a better balance than the 11.1 with a lighter spice and sweeter fruits that finishes long with candied bacon, earthy spices and sweet creamy fruits. At around $250+, this was a splurge bottle that I felt justified the cost after @ctbeck11 was kind enough to share a pour of it with me and I’d recommend anyone interested to try it before buying.

Delicious BBQ meats. So enjoyable and easy to drink. I wish I could afford to drink this more often.

Been really excited to try this one for some time. A peathead’s dream dram. I have @ctbeck11 to thank for the opportunity to try this one. On the nose, as anticipated, the peat hits first. Wasn’t sure I’d pick up anything else, but behind the peat is pear, maybe grilled lemon. It’s burns a little on the nose, but it fits with the peaty smoke. It’s like opening the lid of a hot grill to find fruits grilling away. The palate is fairly gentle on arrival, but quickly moves to a burn at the back of the mouth. Peat again is front and center. Lemon seems to be in there, but it’s a little hot to pick up a whole lot. Going to add a little water and see what happens. Ah, much better. The nose shows a little more of the fruit. Again I get peat, pear, lemon. There’s sweetness on the finish, powdered sugar even. I’m reminded of PC10, but don’t have it on hand to compare. I think I like this more, but I’m not sure I like it 4-5 bottles-worth more. I think it’s a great dram, but I wouldn’t say 5-star worthy. I like it better than PC10 and Laphroaig Cask Strength, but not as well as Uigeadail or Cairdeas 2021. As a showcase for peat it does its job, but for that kind of money I’d prefer something with more complexity.