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Octomore 5 Year Old Edition 06.1 Scottish Barley

Average score from 6 reviews and 12 ratings 91

Octomore 5 Year Old Edition 06.1 Scottish Barley

Product details

  • Brand: Bruichladdich
  • Bottler: Distillery Bottling
  • ABV: 57.0%
  • Age: 5 year old

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@markjedi1
Octomore 5 Year Old Edition 06.1 Scottish Barley

The peat bombs that Bruichladdich markets under the name Octormore are usually quite fruity and quaffable. This Ochdamh Mor is 5 years old and was released in 2013. The peat level is 167 ppm, but that does not mean a whole lot taste-wise, as you are about to read.

This is probably the most brackish nose I have ever had on a whisky. Nothing but salt, seawater and seaweeds. Then some cow hide, plasticine, ashes and fingerpaint. Only after a few moments do the sweet malt and garden herbs (dill and thyme) get a chance to manifest themselves. Fruit? Maybe some citrus in the background. Slowly but surely does turn somewhat sweet. Vanilla and honey.

On the palate it all starts quite brackish and quasi bitter. Like gulping down on a mouthful of seawater right after a big glass of Fanta lemon. But it works. Then the spices kick ini. Some pepper and some green garden herbs. And the peat? You would almost lose sight of it, but it does make for a grand development of smoke that continues on into the finish.

Said finish is very, very long. Yes, nothing but smoke and spices until it suddenly turns sweet again at the very end.

Brackish delight, dammit! I quite liked it, but found the previous version to be just a tad more fruity (and thus better). Thanks, Sam!

@PMessinger

Hot steady sweet smoke loaded oily fruit arrival develops dry citrus, spicy vanilla middle and a long rich thick balanced finish.

Just tried this myself. They really do have this one right. I though your score was a little cray at first, but it's one of the best whiskies I've tried of the +150 whiskies I've sampled over the years. Wonderful stuff.

A 100? We have a winner!

@Volks

This is another release from Octomore featuring 100% Scottish barley and 167ppm peat! Thats about the peatiest in the world

  • Nose: mellow creamy leather, with some cheddar and smoked ham, there is also a grassy barnyard aroma some heather honey, herbal notes and sea spray.

  • Pallet: seaside entry, salty spice, smoked ham, barley sugars, boiled sweets and roasted nuts.

  • Finish: smoked honey, sooty ash, very balanced with growing smoke.

  • Mark neat – 8.1

Previously ive reviewed an octomore (connosr.com/reviews/bruichladdich/…) and thoroughly enjoyed it. This one isnt bad, its suprisingly delicate hence no water. But there is no wow factor nothing outrageous, its a bit yeah delicate.

I tried the 5.1, but due to all the reviews claiming that this one is inferior to the previous batch, I've decided to wait untill the next release of the 6.3

@Pandemonium yeh look this is a decent whisky but its made by Octomore so it needs to be something a with more character. I think your choice is wise

@tastydram

Octomore is an experimental Bruichladdich. Every year they present this limited edition heavily peated whisky in iconic black bottles. The two latest batches were boasting a phenol level of 167 ppm.

Edition number 6 is the first one that carries the new tag line “Scottish Barley”. It exists of three different expressions: the standard 6.1 batch matured in ex-bourbon casks. The 6.2 matured in former cognac casks made from Limousin oak and is destined for Travel Retail. And lastly a 6.3 Islay barley batch that has not yet been bottled.

Tasting notes

Color: A light yellow colour with a thin golden rim. A heap of straw in the spring sunlight. The whisky sticks to your glass like other (young) Bruichladdichs. It is deliciously thick, fat and slow.

Nose: Let's start with an understatement. The peat smoke is everywhere. Not that you would expect anything else from a malt presenting itself as “Super Heavily Peated”. And yet, this Octomore is surprisingly soft on the nose. And instantly, almost Lagavullian, recognizable.

A power nap reveals its fruity and salty qualities. Ripe prunes and cherries. A sea breeze over a rocky beach. Lapsang Souchong sweetened with honey. And a visit to your local cheese shop. You cannot decide which blue cheese you want to taste: Shropshire, Roquefort, Gorgonzola. They all smell and look delicious.

Taste: The peaty tempest rages on in the mouth. Once things get a little quieter, you'll discover a fruity sweetness. Mainly prunes and juicy red apples. The flavours are nicely complemented by loafs of bread. Rye bread and nut bread.

Water transforms this peaty beast into a delicious oatmeal porridge, sweetened with vanilla sugar.

Finish: The finish is quite long, dry and a little sweet. Crispy bacon served with a honey sauce.

Conclusion: Octomore has a reputation to maintain and lives up to it. This is no whisky for starters. If you aren't fond of Ardbeg, steer clear of Octo! This slightly brutal youngster is a real treat for peat lovers. Young aggressive and still refined enough. Lovely complex.

This is yet another whisky that could convince me to break through my psychological € 100 barrier. You easily spot the black metal tubes at specialist liquor stores. Prices vary somewhere between € 115 and € 125.

Nice review! Will definately search for the rye and cheese notes next time I open a bottle. Mine are different versions, but I gather they are roughly the same beast!

Thanks for mentioning the price point. This was a tough barrier for me to get past as well. I know that people here have differing opinions on age, but I can get behind older whisky carrying a significantly higher price point - it has been an investment in the waiting for 20+ years. I have come around to agreeing that younger cask strength is the way to go for peated whisky if you feel a bit masochistic about your peat (and really, who doesn't every now and again), but I still have a hard time justifying over $100.00 for something aged less than 10 years. Well, one taste of this changed my mind. I wouldn't buy it often, but I'd hate not having one in reserve.

I had a taste of the 6.1 in Toronto last Saturday. A nice Big Flavours Whisky, like its siblings!

Pricey? Definitely. But you probably don't roar through a bottle in a week, either. (Well, maybe @Nock does...or would like to.)

@ozmalt

I've read lots of great reviews on Octomore and now that I have one in captivity must report that you are all...absolutely right. As if the bottle isn't exciting enough. It's a work of art and feels very special.

I expected to be over powered with smoke and have my taste buds overwhelmed with the golden spirit but was amazed by what is really a gentle, but sophisticated, giant of a malt. The smoke is subtle but very definite but not in a Laphroaig way.

The nose is Smokey caramel and toasted almonds in sticky toffee. There is a tang of new patent leather shoes and then it dissolves to over ripe mandarins and plums. I made notes during several 'visits' over a few days and found the nose just became richer and warmer each time. It's so complex I could almost carve the various elements and enjoy them individually.

The palate was the big surprise. It's big up front and very rich with warm leather and beautiful smoke. I imagined burnt salty driftwood. It fills the mouth with flavour and it's like the sensation from sherbet or the space food you buy at Woollies when you're a kid. A sudden intense burst that slowly dissolves to an unexpected sweetness. Spicy lemon butter, currants and poached strawberries in Cointreau.

The next day....I could still taste a little smoke and it was a pleasant reminder of this absolutely stunning Whisky. The bottle was sent down under from the UK and arrived 3 days after the order was placed - eWhisky!

Thanks @OIJas. Initially I thought of "gentle giant" but it didn't really capture the power, intensity and pedigree.

And yes @Anxyous, she is a beaut and irresistible even next to the Laphroiags for now. Great review on Supernova and first time I've seen 'moxy' used to describe malt. So - he's a beaut?

I love the "Sumo in a tuxedo" tagline.

@cynter

Well.... Having tried a couple of the expressions of Octomore in the past at a rather nice whisky bar, I finally took the plunge and bought my. Own bottle. I bought the latest release, the 6.1. This is peated to 167 ppm, and comes in the most exquisitely designed packaging.

Right. Let's cut to the chase.

I was expecting aggressive Bonfire smoke and deep, meaty peat. What I had forgotten, however was the wonderful lightness and delicacy which also comes across.

Nose Malt, leather, perhaps some jeyes fluid, and a little medicinal... Something sweet also, maybe a little melon. Floating above all of this is almost a slight cheese aroma, and then of course the peat smoke... Not the uppercut to the face you would expect. But it's definitely there.

Palate This stuff just fills the mouth. Fills every crevice. Almost creamy, thick. A real joy to tease across your tongue. This time smoky, peaty, bonfire. Not as aggressive again as you may expect, but wow. Its definitely powerful. Aside from that though, it's deceptively delicate. There are some really light, almost floral notes. Maybe a little fruit too. Hard to describe. The peat is definitely the overwhelming flavour. My palate may not be developed enough to identify the other flavours. A real joy tho. Absolutely incredible. We've just had a thunderstorm here.... And I can tell you, the experience of relaxing with this whisky, watching the downpour, and the lightning... Amazing.

Finish. Long. What do you expect? Tongue coated with wave after wave of peat. Lovely.

@cynter -- Your review helped me decide that my next premium purchase will be an Octomore, which I've been wanting to try for some time. I have no problem with peat so overwhelming that other flavors are a challenge to distinguish. Very nice review--even if I had to look up Jeyes Fluid!

Good to see the Octomore's still going strong. Thanks for the review @cynter!

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