hs305 scored this whisky 83 points 
[March, 2019] A quick review of a sample...
...that proves why I do not like Octomore at all. To me this is a dull modern whisky with a stupid design (as much peat as possible regardless how it tastes) that owns the sexiness of a religious extremist. From time to time I taste an Octomore sample simply to remind me what I do not like.
But again, there is no accounting for taste and I acknowledge that many others enjoy such extremes - or is it just the clever marketing of Jim that is based on our relentless search of unique impressions? I am too old for this, I am in search of enjoyable moments instead...
...that proves why I do not like Octomore at all. To me this is a dull modern whisky with a stupid design (as much peat as possible regardless how it tastes) that owns the sexiness of a religious extremist. From time to time I taste an Octomore sample simply to remind me what I do not like.
But again, there is no accounting for taste and I acknowledge that many others enjoy such extremes - or is it just the clever marketing of Jim that is based on our relentless search of unique impressions? I am too old for this, I am in search of enjoyable moments instead...
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The colour is pale gold and the nose offers this aggressive bitter-peaty profile that some adore - but sorry folks, to me this is just dull. When I sit at a bonfire and the thick smoke blows towards my position I stand up and move to a less annoying place. So why should I sniff this thick smoke out of my glass? Just because it is ... extreme?
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The taste is just two-dimensional on heavy peaty notes and sweet barley sugars - all other flavours are buried under these bold impressions. So why should I drink this - just because it is ... extreme? Sorry, I am not an extremist!
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The dram arrives warming and a little hot on the palate with a nice creamy mouthfeel but bitter-astringent moments from the heavy peating level, too. The finish is long and turns more bitter towards the end which is unpleasant to my taste buds. Water strengthens the bitter-peaty notes - so add it only if you are an extreme peat-head...
