Octomore 12.2

Review by: The Muskox

Octomore was my first love in the world of peaty whisky. I still have 7.1 rated a whopping 96 points, at least for now (I think it’s time for a re-review), and I still think Octomore is the best-made gimmick in the history of scotch whisky. That said, I really don’t find myself reaching for Octomore – either pouring from my own bottles of 7.1 and 9.3, or even seeking out samples of the newer bottlings.

This is the second Sauternes-cask .2 in recent years, after 10.2, and the third overall after the legendary 4.2.

Distillery: Bruichladdich

Bottler: Official bottling

Region: Islay

ABV: 57.3%. Cask strength.

Age: 5 years. Distilled in 2015. Bottled in 2020.

Cask type: Matured initially in first- and second-fill American oak casks, then finished 18 months in Sauternes casks.

Price: NA, sample.

Color: Gold. Natural Color. Non-Chill Filtered.

Nose: Sweet and briny. Dripping honey and grilled peaches – classic Sauternes cask stuff. Seaweed-strewn beach and tangy green olives, dashi, maybe some oysters? Sweet woodsmoke, charred pork belly, bacon-wrapped figs. A slaty mineral character. Slightly candy-ish. As it rests in the glass, floral notes of honeysuckle and Labrador tea start to take over.

Palate: Medium-thick texture. Arrives rather gently with sweet-tart stonefruit, cider vinegar, and acidic honey. Honey-smeared burning hardwood, black tea with lemon, roasted almonds, and toasted sesame oil. Peat-reek builds as it develops, along with that deep Octomore earthiness and fragrant herbal notes of rosemary, sage, and more Labrador tea. Chocolate and sponge toffee.

Finish: Sweet and meaty. Creamy whipped honey, vanilla beans, and lemon-ginger tea. Sort of a miso-like savouriness, some chicken fat, and custardy French toast. Lingering soot and more toasted sesame oil.

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Honey boutique, washed ashore”

Conclusion: Well, it’s not as good as the other Sauternes-cask Octomores I’ve tried, but that’s a high bar. It doesn’t have the superlative richness of 10.2, or the magic of 4.2. That said, this is still a great whisky, and my favourite of the 12s. It has all the Sauternes goodness you’d want. The complexity and richness are both slightly lower than the best Octos, but that prized balance and savouriness are there.

Final Score: 88.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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