Jose-Massu-Espinel
Octomore Masterclass 08.1/167
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
April 9, 2020 (edited May 6, 2021)
After 544 whiskies (not in one night lol) i finally had the "super peated", incredibly famous Octomore. I know there are a lot of Octomore expressions but i managed to get me a sample of the 08.1.
Octomore as you might already know, is the heavily peated whisky from bruichladdich distillery, which is known for its organic barley. It is called "masterclass" and it has 167ppm of Peat, which is like 5 times an Ardbeg. Unchill filthered and uncolored.
But, was it any good?
Bottled at 59.3%abv, amber color.
On the nose: SUPER PERFUMED. It is quite lovely and easy on the nose. The peat presents itself very strong but perfumed. Like cologne infused foam. Not smoky or earthy at all, but perfumed. Then, clean citric notes appear: fresh limes and oranges. After a couple of minutes that fresh orange turns into a more artificial / sugary orange. After a couple of sips, lemon air freshener and thick caramel notes appear.
On the palate: it is very straightforward, only four flavors: lemon, lime, oranges (all of them very fresh and clean) and pepper.
Then.... kaboom.
Aftertaste is way too powerful. It feels like it can cure you from any disease because no bacteria or virus can survive a sulphuric bath like the one you just inflicted to your esophagus. Very earthy dry, smoky, sulphuric and full of mint, this one i will remember for ages.
I have had whiskies with higher abv and none of them deliver this black mint, super listerine, smoky sensation. It is not unpleasant but not amazing either.
Overall this dram has a very good nose and not a very complex palate. Aftertaste is way too powerful and i get it, you wanted to make world's peatiest dram and you went for it, that doesn't necessarily means its going to be great. It is not what i expected, it is not bad but not that enjoyable. 84 over 100 is my score for it.
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