ScotchingHard
Octomore Masterclass 08.3/309 Islay Barley
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
August 30, 2018 (edited February 25, 2019)
This is the peatiest scotch ever at 300 bajillion parts per million!
The truth is that the Octomores are getting worse. The 6 series, in my opinion, was the pinnacle. Never tried 6.2, but the 6.1 is still the cheapest and one of the best octomores here in Maryland. The 6.3 is the best octomore I’ve had period.
This 8.3 is pretty good. But not worth the price of my admission (241 USD). For peat heads, I agree that this is the peatiest thing I have ever tried, and I love peat, but I prefer a little more balance.
Peat reek dominates the nose, with a tropical bend. Rotting mangoes and papaya being burnt on top of rotting vegetation. Pure detritus and hydrocarbons on the palate. There is a little bit of liquorice, which I don’t like, and associate with plastic and bad casks. The finish is ashy and savory. Smoked fish that was smoked again. And then smoked again.
The sin on this whisky is that it tastes like it is too young. Previous X.3 Octomores are also 5 years old, but never did I get that impression. But, if you are looking for a peat bomb, this is the Tsar Bomba. I would value this at 200 USD. I overpaid a tad.
92/100
241.0
USD
per
Bottle
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This one seemed to change for me as I drank through the bottle. The first couple of pours had me ready to declare it my favorite Octomore to date, but for the first time oxidation seemed to hurt this one later on.
@ScotchingHard - 6.3 is my favorite as well. It’s amazingly smooth for the ABV.
The best Octomore IMHO is the 10 year old second edition. The extra years added so much to the character and actually amplified the smoke whilst rounding it. I've had the 8.1 but not any of the other 8.x expressions @PBMichiganWolverine Yep. The joke is wearing thin. To be honest I prefer almost any Port Charlotte to almost any Octomore.
@ScotchingHard. I think it’s now a marketing gimmick to see how much they can take up the peat level.