Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 07.1 / 208 59.5% 2009

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (83)

The seventh annual release and 7,548,224,145,411ppm on this meter (okay, rather 208ppm) but we all know that it’s the phenols in the distillate that count, not the phenols right after malting/smoking. This was matured in American oak. Colour: straw. Nose: square. Ashes in a discotheque ashtray around 7am somewhere in Marbella, tincture of iodine, tiger balm, tiny very acidic lemons. That’s all folks. With water: paint, carbolinium, bitter almonds. I guess this baby’s rustproof. Mouth (neat): it’s probably where it loses a few points because of its youth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for totally spirit-driven whiskies, but in this case I find this rather too simple, too narrow. Chewing heavily smoked grass or something like that. Whether smoked or not, barley’s neither sugarcane, nor grape, and needs time. Now, as a spectacular smoke bomb, it’s great. With water: improves. Saltier, more lemony, more almondy. Hand soap? Finish: long, gentler. Almond cream like the Italians make.

Gal Granov (88)

Nose: This is an Octomore alright – big lactic nose on this one, with condensed milk , some sweet dessert cheese, lemon rind, tobacco smoke and quite a lot of creamy vanilla. there’s some black pepper, as well, and fruit – mainly tinned peaches, fresh pears, and sweet cereals. Smoky and peaty of course, but also vanilla like, and quite sweet at times, a pinch of sea spray as well.

Palate: Quite fierce on the palate without H2O, but enjoyable at any rate. Peppery attack at first, which subsides, adding vanilla and creamier notes, lemon, more sea spray, tar and sweet pastries with vanilla notes (think of Pastel de Nata – the Portuguese dish). lovely, and quite complex for its tender age of 5.

Finish: Nice sweet, salty interplay, with hot cinnamon and black pepper, with a vanilla edge.

Bottom line:

All in all this is a very good Octomore Indeed. Love the creamy sweet vanilla cakes, with the touch of salt and tar, pepper and cinnamon. Good stuff indeed, and if you’re fond of big peaty goodness, and fancy a good dram, and don’t mind paying a premium , this is a good option. Got to have one in any bar. One’s enough tho.

Words of Whisky (87)

Nose: very peaty, but – we say this every time, don’t we – not as gobsmackingly peaty as you may expect from the raw numbers. A lot of ashes, but they are soon joined by some fruity notes (smoked peach, sweet apple) and a bit of milk chocolate. Also lemons and liquorice. Creamy and tarry at the same time. Mouth: this is where you get beaten by a hammer. Very, very peaty. Sharp, hot, with a lot of burnt grass, white pepper and cold ashes. Salty hints towards the end. Young and fierce, with a berry sweetness towards the end. Finish: very long, very smoky, with a lemon & salt combo, a bittersweet herbal cough syrup note and burnt leafs.
A powerhouse of course, still a reference when it comes to liquid ashtrays in a bottle. Great stuff if you want this kind of extreme kick, or just want to surprise your friends. It’s an “effective” malt: raw, young, but it delivers its promises.