Octomore 11.2

 

I saw that this was available from the distillery shop, and since they actually ship to the US, I ordered this when it was a website exclusive rather than travel retail due to the pandemic. It was an easy decision knowing how I feel about both peat and wine casks.

Octomore 11.2, Islay Single Malt, 58.6% ABV

Minutia: Distilled in winter 2014 from the 2013 harvest of 100% Scottish grown concerto and propino barley. 25% was matured for 5 years on Islay in ex-red wine casks from the Pauillac region of France. 75% was matured on Islay in ex-American whiskey casks and finished an for 18 months in ex-red wine casks from the St Julien region of France totaling 5 years. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Tawny; 1.4.

Nose: Red fruit, apples, tobacco, leather. Barbecue. All of it: the sauce, the air, the meat, you name it.

Taste: Nice texture. Smoky and spicy barbecue sauce. Not one that’s both, but a spicy sauce and a sweet sauce together. Salty.

Finish: Smoke, red fruit. Woody, dry. Long.

Awesome all around, a classic Octomore.

Score: 93

Musical Evocation: Woods of Ypres – “Wet Leather”