pkingmartin
Octomore 11.3
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
August 18, 2022 (edited July 14, 2023)
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.
250.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@PBMichiganWolverine Yeah, this was much better than the 11.1. I guess there is some magic in that Octomore farmed barley that helps justify the high price.
@pkingmartin the x.3’s have always been my favorite, along with the 10’s. They seem to be the most complex ( and expensive)