[September, 2018] Ooh, an extremely peated malt from a virgin oak cask - both are characteristics I do not like, usually. But I am brave and try this sample (thanks, VVP)...

...and it clearly confirms my suspicions. This is an extremely two-dimensional spirit with extreme spikes towards a peaty smokiness and agressive woodiness. Whoever loves these spikes might enjoy such a combo very much, to me it is rather disgusting (hey, where is the whisky in this mix?). Sorry, but my taste is simply different (and you know: There is no accounting for taste!)...

This was rated 2 years ago, but to update my rating from 93 to 92 I had to delete my original rating completely and re-rate from scratch.

Upon opening the bottle and letting it stand for 30min before my first sip, I was with Serge on the oakyness and thought it was only ok. But on subsequent drams, the oak reseeds and is a wallop of dark cherry's with smoke in the background.

Now 6 weeks later with the bottle one third full and the oxidization taking full effect, I've just experienced the most amazing complex smoke black cherry note I never thought existed! Delicious!

This bottle is an amazing ride that I would recommend highly to anyone that is into Octomores. You just need to be patient with this one and as with most of the other Octomores, allow them to evolve. And you will not be disappointed!

No water needed with this one. I wouldn't dare!

An incredible trip, to say the least!

Edit February 2019; This is no longer to my liking the way it used to be when I had my first bottle over two years ago. My palate has changed in the last two in a half years and over that time I've eliminated several bottles from my collection that have disappointed me as I've become more discerning and less tolerant of sulphur laden and spiked infused releases. This Octomore 7.4 is now my least favourite, of all my Octomore's as this one is a spiked infused releases that is very disjointed, harsh, very sharply-wood driven, not balanced and is a far cry in both quality and enjoyment from all my other Octomore's. Re-rate this to a 86 from a 92.

I find tasting whisky is like listening to music, there are many different types of music that appeal to many different people. However, if you learn to have a keen ear and enjoy more challenging, dynamic and complex music, and at the same time are less impressed with gimmicky and one dimensional pieces of music you become more discerning and less susceptible one hit wonders and tend to want more than a basic rush of high octane. In your glass.

Amazingly mild for the alcohol content. The price-performance ratio is, as with all Octomores unfortunately unacceptable