26 December 2019

2019 Advent #1 - Octomore 5.1


Not a ton to say about this, just that I’m glad to have been able to acquire samples of some of the Octomores I couldn’t get a bottle of and see how each expression compared to others.
Octomore 5.1, Islay Single Malt, 59.5% ABV
Minutia: Produced from 100% Scottish barley, peated to 169ppm, and matured in ex-American whiskey casks (the X.1 designation). 5 year age statement. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.
Color: A white wine that’s a bit yellow.
Nose: Smoky, funky, maybe some apple. Simple yet powerful and very good.
Taste: Peppery, mildly oaky, medicinal a bit.
Finish: Long. Smoky, earthy, ashy (the good kind) peat. Becomes a bit briny/cheesy.
Guess: Octomore X.1. No discernible strange cask influence and the oak in the palate is not nearly noticeable enough to be a virgin cask, but I don’t have near enough knowledge or experience to guess which edition it’s from.
The taste is fine but minimal, but there is so much in the finish. This is not something to drink quickly, that would be difficult and foolish to take away from one of its assets which is the long finish. As the first blind review I’ve done, it’s a big confidence booster to guess it about as right as I could and even had I been was off it was fun to rely solely on my nose and mouth here. I’m very much looking forward to the next 23.
Score: 91

Here are links to the other posts from this calendar:
201901 201902 201903 201904 201905 201906 201907 201908 201909 201910 201911 201912 201913 201914 201915 201916 201917 201918 201919 201920 201921 201922 201923 201924 201900






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