Octomore 16 Series (16.1, 16.2 & 16.3)

Octomore 16.1

Region: Islay

ABV: 59.3%

Price: £140.00

Octomore 16.1 was distilled from 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto barley, peated to 101.4 PPM and matured for five years in first fill bourbon barrels.

Nose

The nose opens with pear drops, charcoal and bonfire smoke. Behind those notes there’s some hickory barbecue sauce, peanuts, wet earth and bread dough. Even at 59.3% the alcohol spice is minimal. With time in the glass, lime juice, barley sugars, caramel and sea spray appear.

Palate

The palate has a nice upfront hit of sweetness in the form of caramel, honey, orange peel and sugar syrup. Earthy peat appears on the mid palate before ginger spice starts to overwhelm on the medium length finish. That smoke also lingers. Time brings more citrus and a touch of dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is pleasingly oily. A touch simple, but the cask and peat have done a good job of hiding the youthfulness of the spirit.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose turns mustier and more savoury. Fresh bread and peanuts leads the aromas, the smoke has faded somewhat, and there are now hints of warm plastic, marshmallows and sour cherries. With patience the smoke starts to slowly reappear.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has lost that overpowering spice. It is sweeter overall, yet still carries a decent hit of peat, and the mouthfeel remains solid. The finish is a touch drier, while the core pre dilution flavours are still all accounted for.

Conclusion

Undiluted, it is a little too spicy for us. A few drops of water tame the heat and, as a bonus, coax out a few new flavours without losing the peaty hit people are looking for. It is not the most complex Octomore, but it is a solid entry in the series.

Score: 7/10

Value

Definitely not cheap, but the price has stayed in line with last year’s .1 release.

Octomore 16.2

Region: Islay

ABV: 58.1%

Price: £155.00

Octomore 16.2 was crafted from 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto barley, peated to 101.4 PPM and matured for five years in a mix of Oloroso and Bordeaux casks, then recasked into Madeira and Moscatel for the final year. 

Nose

The nose has much less smoke than we were expecting, but like the .1 is surprisingly easy to nose at cask strength. The standout notes are dried earth, pineapple chunks, Cadbury Fudge Fingers, yeast, grape skins and pistachios. It is pleasant and well balanced, but it does not immediately come across as an Octomore.

Palate

The palate opens with some honey, caramel, fudge and crème brûlée. It is one of the sweetest Octomores we have tried. A little peat and a note reminiscent of white port appear on the mid palate. The finish is medium length with a gentle spice and a little of that peat lingering. The mouthfeel is a notch below the 16.1, but is still solid. Good, but it feels like the casks have subdued the spirit.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose gains a strong Bovril note pushing the pre dilution aromas into the background. With patience treacle, burnt toast and dried earth appears.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate turns spicier and more mouth drying, with a slight bitter orange note joining the pre dilution flavours. The finish remains medium length. There is a touch more smoke now, and the mouthfeel is relatively unchanged.

Conclusion

Some interesting flavours and aromas, but one that is much more cask led than spirit. We’re going to go with a 7 with this as technically we think this is as good as the .1, but we strongly suspect peat heads will rate this lower. Personally we prefer the .1, but it’s close.

Score: 7/10

Value

Like the .1, while expensive this is priced in line with last year’s release.

Octomore 16.3

Region: Islay

ABV: 61.6%

Price: £195.00

Octomore 16.3 was distilled from single-estate Islay Concerto barley grown at Octomore Farm, specifically Church Field, and malted to 189.5 PPM. Matured five years full term in a mix of ex bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks.

Nose

The nose opens tight and needs patience to coax out the aromas. Freshly baked brioche, grape must and damp earth appear first, with the smoke sitting behind the other notes. Returning to the glass brings apricots, toffee and Ryvita Crispbread. Even with patience the peat is still on the more subtle side.

Palate

The palate shows less peat than expected given it has the highest PPM, which only proves PPM is not everything. It opens sweetly with honey, apple, barley sugars, and marshmallows. On the mid-palate there are hand cooked plain crisps, then cracked black pepper on a medium finish with a touch of ash. The mouthfeel is thinner than the .1 or .2 expressions.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose shows more peat, with coal tar and tobacco now very noticeable. Schloer-like grapey notes, barley sugars and a hint of synthetic sweetener join the pre dilution aromas. The nose has opened up nicely.

Palate (with water)

Unfortunately, reduction hasn’t really done the palate the same favours. Water adds extra spice and a slight vinegar note, like a bottle of white wine left open too long. On the plus side the pre diluted notes are still here, but the mouthfeel remains a touch thin and the medium finish is now spicier.

Conclusion

We’d skip the water on this one. Once it opens up there are some nice flavours and aromas, but they never quite gel. Combined with the disappointing mouthfeel, and we’re going to go with a 6.5.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

Both the .1 and .2 are cheaper and better drams.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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