Normal Service Resumes
Where was I?
My last post was in August and since then I’ve been working almost constantly in my spirits shop, successfully run our second whisky festival, working on another couple of projects and just had to deal with life (and death) in general. You know how it is. So how are you? How have you been? Really? Cool!
Let’s get this show back on the road, then. Where was I? Oh, yeah…whisky!
Octomore Comus
(Disclaimer: I have not been a fan of the Octomore series of whiskies from Bruichladdich. I have personally found them either all smoke and no depth or, in the case of the Orpheus, another pointless and silly wine finish that added nothing and probably took lots away.)
Next in the Octomore series is Octomore 04.2_167, or Comus to its friends. Speaking of silly wine finishes, this has spent some time in Château d’Yquem Sauternes casks (the king, or queen if you prefer, of sweet dessert wines). This has the potential to be magnificent or a disaster… The 167 refers to the PPMs in this limited edition bottling of 18,000 at 61% ABV.
Colour: A rich, syrupy gold.
Nose: The peat is immediate although not as strong as the PPMs suggest but it’s definitely there in a meaty way, like Bovril. There’s also a chewy, sweet maltiness with bags of fragrant, fruity notes; peaches in syrup. It’s also very like one of those wee biscuits you get in a café with a cup of coffee.
Mouth: Vibrant and fizzy. Chocolate and smoked hickory. A good oiliness.
Finish: Bitter, bitter chocolate with wood ash at the finish. But then a sweet chocolate is left with a touch of liquorice.
Conclusion: Me likey! This is probably the best Octomore I have tried. The sweet wine has tempered the PPMs and added a richness to what was usually all smoke and no action. Needs a wee drop of water to temper the ABV.
Available now from The Good Spirits Co. at £100.