Octomore Masterclass 08.1/167

So everything in the branding around this whiskey is about the fact its got the highest peat of anything available. And while that may be true scientifically, frankly its not the smokiest thing I've ever had. If you're like me and would love to know what licking an ashtray tastes like, you should explore the standard ranges of Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Longrow, and Balcones Brimstone, to my palette all of those hit harder in terms of smoke. Now this is still an extremely smoky spirit and a fantastic one at that but with the hefty price tag if what you're looking for is "the maximum smoke experience" you may be disappointed. Still, this is quite the beast. Weaving together flavors of old and new wood beautifully with the smoke, citrus, the ghost of past bourbons, cigars with Connecticut wrappers and a note I can describe only as rice pudding. Its complicated, sophisticated and has an amazingly long tail.

This by far has been one of the most delightful scotches I have ever had the chance to enjoy. On the nose without ice is heavy peat with smoke being the centre of interest. Once you slip a cube into this nectar of the gods and let it chill for 3 minutes (not 2.5 minutes) the smoke on the nose starts to dissipate and a sweetness evolves. Now this golden dream has so many amazing flavours. A strange but delicious combination of cherries jubilee with an out of smoke is so amazingly delicious. Have had many Octomore. Love this juice and 8.1 is a superb Octomore!!!

Nose: Plasticy fruit, mat, spice, olde candy and nutty. Palate: Olde candy, smoke, spice, and oil. Finish: Long -> Smoke and olde candy with a touch of fruit.

250 reviews later, I’m finding it hard to be inspired enough by a dram to write a review. What’s interested me lately is real blind tastings with black opaque Glencairn’s. Do they represent how we should really value a spirit? In my opinion, not exactly. Packaging, marketing, brand loyalty, and how much you spent will all color our enjoyment of a spirit, and that seems natural and normal to me. People don’t buy bottles to drink it solely out of blind line ups. However, truly blind tastings (i.e., without any visual clues), do say at least something about value comparisons, and deserve some attention for the aficionado. At least, if you win in one of my blind tastings, I should write a fucking review. Congratulations to Octomore 8.1. This was the result of this blind tasting of peat heavyweights: #1: Octomore 8.1. Original bottling by Bruichladdich. 8 years old. Bottled 2017. 59.7% #2: Port Charlotte. Bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company. 13 years old. Batch 8. Bottled 2018. 52.7%. #3: Laphroaig. Bottled by Cadenhead. 19 years old. 175th Anniversary Edition. Bottled 2017. 54.0% #4: Ardbeg Supernova. Original bottling. NAS. Bottled 2019. 53.8% #5: Ardbeg Supernova. Original bottling. NAS. Bottled 2015. 54.3% #6: Octomore 4.1. Original bottling by Bruichladdich. 5 years old. Bottled 2012. 62.5% These reviews going forward will be more of a blog where I can talk about multiple whiskies before praising the winner. All whiskies in this line up were delicious and are worthy of being in the ~$200 price range. All of these whiskies, however, will be difficult if not impossible to obtain at those prices because of discontinuation and/or scarcity. Notable findings about this blind tasting: OLDER DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN BETTER. The golden age of Octomore, in my opinion was 5, 6, and 7. But I remember being blown away by the 2.1 and 2.2. I had high expectations when I opened the 4.1, which I bought on the secondary market for $300, but this was surprisingly subtle compared to the other whiskies, despite being the highest ABV. 4.1 is clearly inferior to 8.1 because it simply does not have that rustic stench that I identify as a heavily peated offering from Bruichladdich. ARDBEG SUPERNOVA IS NOT BETTER THAN OCTOMORE. You are likely going to pay a helluva lot more for Supernova than Octomore but, if you share my palate, it’s not worth it! I was able to get the 2019 at $230 (near MSRP), but had to pay secondary of $400 for the 2015. Unblinded, I would take the Octomore 4.1 over these. Unblinded, I enjoyed 2015 more than 2019. Both the supernovas had “I’m not ready to be bottled notes” that I did not experience with Octomore. The Ardbegs, however, are much ashier if you are into ash, compared to Octomore. The Cadenhead Laphroaig is just a beast of a Laphroaig. It is more Froygian than any original bottling I’ve experienced. Laphroaig as a brand prides itself in being unrefined, but many independent bottlings make official bottlings feel like Geoffrey Butler on Fresh Prince. The TBWC bottling of Port Charlotte was the most farmy by far of the line up. It poses the question of what PPM actually means; because; if it means smokiness (ashiness), most Ardbegs beats out any Bruichladdich product, including Octomore. If it means like eating chemically treated soil on a farm, many Port Charlotte offerings are far superior to Octomore. This particular Port Charlotte STINKS like if there was a toe jam perfume. It is, despite being the lowest ABV, the loudest of the line up. And now to heap praise on the winner, Octomore 8.1: This is a whisky that balances between being loud and being noticeable. Unblinded, I unambiguously enjoy 8.1 over 4.1. Unfortunately, the only Octomore 5-7 I still own is an unopened bottle of 6.1 and I can only imagine that I would like the 6.1 better. Previously, I rated 8.1 three stars and basically did not recommend it. I may need to look back at the 8 series and reconsider. Unfortunately, they now cost more than most other series on the secondary because the 8.3 is still the most PPM ever. The 8.1 is extremely soily and acidic. You can easily describe it as moss and volcanic undergrowth. There is a nice balance of oaky sweetness on the palate, and a brutal ashiness rolls over on the finish. Score: * (unforgettably good) How much does a bottle cost?: ~$200 at retail. Secondary now is ~$400-500. How much do I think a bottle is worth?: $230

Thick and like old grass, but in the best way. Very nice finish.