Octomore 12.1

Excellent, intense, and long but not as balanced and ironed-out at the seams as, say, the 10.3. The peat is full-bore petrol station — which I like, don’t get me wrong — but it lacks an extra dimension of fruit to go with it. I do pick up some banana and band-aid on the nose once I’m well into the bottle, so there’s complexity, but it takes coaxing. A stylistic favorite for me, but maybe not the best iteration.

Please forgive me Father, for I have sinned. If I were Catholic, I can merely utter those words, repent, and probably recommit the same atrocity. Round and round, so long as I repent. If I were Hindu, I’d be totally screwed, because there is no repent…Karma will beat my ass in due time, either in this life or the next. If I were Muslim, I can undo my atrocity by doing good elsewhere…and I can have that cycle continue again. I knew Octomore x.1 series are my least preferred. I always lean towards the x.3 or even x.2. But over and over, I buy x.1 , only to utter “ I’m so sorry, I really won’t do it again”. Fortunately, this time, it was only a 3cl sample that I paid for, not a full bottle. This one is 59.9% ABV, aged in ex-American whiskey casks, and peated to 130ppm. Which is freakin high, but anything over 40-50ppm , we mortal humans can’t really differentiate anyway. This really doesn’t offer anything special worthy of its price tag. At about $130-200, I’d really expect more, especially when it so boldly comes out saying it’s a 5yr old. I’m getting the standard lemon, peat and brine. Taste is very standard Islay — salt, brine, lemon zest , muted smoke. Nothing I couldn’t have from your cask strength Caol Ila 10-15yr old, but 1/2 the price. So…even though I’m not Catholic , I’m sorry , I truly repent, and my Lord in heaven, I promise I won’t buy another x.1 . At least until next year, when I’ll re-repent.

First open No water Nose - strong peat, sea brine, grain, green apple, hint of leather Taste - strong smoke, thick (but not as oily as other Octomores), hints of dark fruit Overall - very good

NOSE Crisp, honied orchard fruit, smoke, malt, vanilla pastry, char, baking spice, toffee sweetness and a bit of wax. This is just plain lovely. It’s warm, it’s fruity, it’s… unexpected. PALATE Minerality, smoke, hay-like malt, lemon curd, toffee, herbal spice, dried orchard fruit, honey and some light char and banana chips. Darker and heavier than the aroma, but also more spirit-forward with the minerality showing through. Like the aroma, the Octomore 12.2 palate has an unexpected delivery and I’m enjoying it. FINISH Long -> Smoke, brine, vanilla candy and toffee drift to a dry maltiness.