Octomore 11.3

Nose: The proof really comes through on the nose. Hotter than something like Stagg B14, for instance. The briney, Smokey, peaty, salty flavors you would expect jump out of the glass. I get a slight vanilla note on the nose through all the wonderful brine. Touch of bitter dark chocolate. Taste: Bold and flavorful. Packs a serious punch. The proof really shows up all the way through on the palate but not in such a way that flavors dissipate. Immediately I find a light, almost sweet, candied bacon flavor. Imagine candied bacon with enough candy flavor only to hold off the heavily peppered and spicy seasoning on bacon. Flavor starts to fade into a dry, minty, black coffee, leathery, sherry type flavor before finishing with a hot spice that’s not as sweet as cinnamon but not quite as hot as a habanero. All the while a fatty slab of brisket is practically dissolving on the back of your tongue. Flavor complexity is out of this world and absolutely a shining point of this whiskey. Neat. 11.10.20.

I don't think I have the words to express what this tastes like. It is well beyond what I thought scotch could be. I have a long journey ahead if this is what's truly possible with such simple ingredients when put together in such a masterful fashion. By jumping to a scotch such as this, with as little experience as I have, I'm afraid I'll be flailing for a long time trying to find others like it. We shall see. I think this will be quite an adventure.