LeeEvolved
Octomore 07.2/208 Cask Evolution
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
June 24, 2019 (edited July 1, 2019)
I found this sample hiding behind several knickknacks on the top of my refrigerator. It’s an old sample sent to me from my buddy @Generously_Paul, in what was probably a trade from over a year ago. It’s been even longer since I had a bottle of the Octomore 7.1. I guess it’s long passed time to get into this one, so let’s do this...
The Octomore 7.2 is a 5 year old, heavily peated whisky from Bruichladdich. This series was also the last one done by master distiller Jim McEwan took part in- so, he made sure it was the most heavily peated ever: 208ppm. 7.2 was a blend of whisky aged in ex-American oak and French Shiraz wine casks. It’s bottled at 58.5% and I believe the bottle ran just shy of $200. This one was also considered a travel retail edition- so it was more limited.
It’s a dull yellow in the taster with very oily and thin legs. Tiny droplets also form after a rigorous spin. The nose is typical Octomore: ashy peat and BBQ smoke with a side of salted fish. Tar and a slight band aid note add a special funk I don’t recall from any other Octomore I’ve tried (although it’s been awhile since I’ve had one and I’ve killed millions of brain cells since then, lol). The typical Shiraz wine notes aren’t apparent on the nose: I’m missing the grape must, tannins and dark chocolate- the peat is just too strong.
The palate is deeply rich and full of peat and salty, sea air. The BBQ flavors are what’s subdued with this one. I did pick up some dark chocolate notes after adding a spritz of water to the sample, but it also brought forward some citrus notes instead of the wine fruitiness I was expecting. The mouthfeel is still luscious and somewhat heavy, but this is Octomore so that’s to be expected. There’s not much heat from the ridiculously high ABV, but we all know why that is, too. The finish is longer and spicier than I remember from other Octomores, but I do like that aspect. Scratch that- I LOVE that part. As the smoke and earthy peat tang fades it turns drier, but there still isn’t enough wine fruits to indicate the Shiraz casking. It’s not a bummer, just an observation.
Ultimately, this is still a wonderful dram. I love the constant attack from the peat and salt and the richness just hangs there trying to make you whimper. The absence of heat is slightly scary, as I could keep filling the Glencairn if I had the bottle in front of me. It’s not better, and if I’m honest, not much different from what my notes about the 7.1 indicate- so, there’s no real reason to chase the exclusivity of this one over the 7.1. It still doesn’t live up to the Series 6, but I also wouldn’t toss this bottle out. 3.75-4 stars, maybe stretching to 4.25 when I’m in an Octomore frame of mind. If Bruichladdich keeps making these, I’ll keep trying them. Cheers.
Also, speaking of @Generously_Paul - please check out his new YouTube channel, Dapper Drams. If you like your whisky review with some humor and shenanigans then you’ll be in luck and, if you look hard enough, you might even spot yours truly every now and again. Please support his hard work with a Like and maybe even a Subscribe. Thanks.
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
@LeeEvolved ha! No worries @Thehairofthedogthatbitme a couple other ideas for peated summer scotches ... the Lagavulin 12 Special Release (2017 in particular if you can find it) is fantastic, and the Longrow Red series is really interesting - each bottling is finished in different kind of red wine cask. Also, these aren’t splurge bottles but I just loaded a head-to-head review of Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 8 over the weekend. I love light, young and vibrant peat in the summer and both of those really hit the mark.
@Whiskali - sorry, disregard that last comment directed at you- I got you and @Thehairofthedogthatbitme mixed up. He wanted peated suggestions and you wanted The I peated. My reading comprehension skills are slow today haha. Cheers.
@Whiskali - you realize that the Islay Barley isn’t peated, right? If you are looking for a heavily peated Bruichladdich you have to go for the Octomore or something from their Port Charlotte line. That’s the peated side of Bruichladdich. You’ll have some people try to tell you that everything from them has some peat in it, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Thanks @LeeEvolved and @Rick_M for the suggestions.
@LeeEvolved I decided to grab an Islay Barley - figured I should try more of their younger stuff before splurging on an older one. Thanks again for everything you put into your reviews; been learning a lot. Cheers
@Thehairofthedogthatbitme - If you’re new to peat, then Lagavulin Distillers Edition. Still has plenty of smoke but also great sweet sherry and bourbon cask influences. If you’re really trying to impress, then Compass Box No Name No. 2 will be here any day now.
@Thehairofthedogthatbitme - if you’re looking to stay with the Octomore line, then you should start with the 6 Series- particularly the 6.3 bottle. I’ve heard, and I have an unopened bottle of, the special release of the 10 year old Octomore is incredibly good. Most Octomore is 5 years, so you’re getting double the years in the cask- which should just increase the depth tremendously, while smoothing out the entire whisky. If you want to venture away from Octomore I’d recommend something from the Big Peat blended whisky line. They have some well-aged examples if you’re willing to spend Octomore-level money: a 25 and 26 year old. I’ve had some younger Big Peat whiskies and they are incredible. Good luck with your choice and get ready for a smoke bomb- whichever direction you go. Cheers.
I'm looking to splurge on a bottle of heavy peated scotch with a few friends this summer, but I'm kinda lost when it comes to the high-end scotches. Which series should I be looking at?
@Scott_E - thanks. Some whiskies just seem to talk to me, whether good or bad, and the review tends to write itself. The fact no one around me drinks whisky, with the passion that I do, means I need a creative outlet like Distiller. It’s like I’m drinking with friends. Cheers.
@Scott_E @LeeEvolved I think the 6 series was the only one that probably had a leg to stand on for the asking price. Supposedly the recent 9 series is very good too, haven’t tried it though
@LeeEvolved I love the Octomore line, but the price point is just killer (for me). I just think I will ever be owning a bottle, but I will gladly have a pour. Love your down to earth, conversational reviews!
@Whiskali - I’ve had a few unpeated Bruichladdich- Islay Barley, Bere Barley, Classic Laddie and a couple of the Black Arts- but nothing independent. I enjoyed them all, although I thought the Bere Barley was disappointing and slightly overpriced. I’d say they are under appreciated, mostly because Islay is known for peat. I’m definitely open to trying more from them. Cheers.
Great review, @LeeEvolved! Have you tried any of older unpeated Bruichladdichs by independent bottlers? I have my eye on one but it’s pretty pricey so I haven’t pulled the trigger on it.
Nice review. Yeah thought 7 and 8 series I tried were 4 level. Just got my hands on 6.1 so based on your comment looking fwd to it!