Octomore 10.3 2013 / 2019 6 Years
Statistically, Octomore is all about the degree of peatiness. Despite its young age, however, we have an incredibly complex whisky in the glass.Why 10.3? There is a simple system behind the numbering. The 10 stands for the series, the 3 for a specific characteristic. In this case, it is the maturation in exclusively ex-American oak barrels. In the 10.3 we have a peat content of 114PPM (phenol parts per million).
Tasting Notes
Nose
"For such a smoky one, it smells bright and fresh. Not like an Ardbeg ashtray." was Sascha's first comment.Instead of the dark smoke, we have spring-like notes of lemon balm. We also smell freshly roasted coffee and boiled custard. Peat smoke is also present, of course.
Palate
What kind of sugar is that? We think of a very sugary cake with a massive layer of fondant. Somehow also peat smoke, but damn sweet. A variety of flavours were hiding underneath. On the one hand we have a salty marimality, on the other hand a slightly lemony-limey sourness. Very, very exciting.
Finish
Really warming and "ultra long" we have smoked ham, rubber, spices, and iodine-like notes in the finish. For half an hour!
Thoughts
Marcel 85/100
Who would have thought that a six-years whisky could be so multi-layered and enjoyable? Octomore 10.3 surprises with its sweet peat note and ultra-long finish – a genuine tasting experience that’s a lot of fun, even if the price is quite steep.
Sascha 89/100
The Octomore 10.3 impresses with a remarkable balance between intense peatiness and complex sweetness, showing astonishing depth despite its youth. The structured variety of aromas and the long finish make it a technically impressive smoky whisky, whose price reflects its exclusivity.
Value for Money: No rating
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What does the high peat level of 114 PPM in the Octomore 10.3 mean?
The peat level of 114 PPM (Phenol Parts per Million) indicates how heavily the barley was peated before distillation. The result is a very smoky whisky, yet Octomore 10.3 offers a surprisingly fresh and multi-dimensional aroma profile that goes beyond pure smoke despite the high value.
How does maturation in ex-American oak casks influence the flavor of the Octomore 10.3?
Maturing exclusively in ex-American oak casks imparts sweet vanilla and caramel notes as well as a certain fruitiness to the Octomore 10.3. This cask choice adds complexity and complements the intense peat smoke with sweet and spicy flavors.
Why does such a young whisky like the Octomore 10.3 taste so complex?
Although the Octomore 10.3 is only six years old, the combination of heavily peated barley, cask selection, and the high alcohol strength of 61.3% ABV creates an intense and multi-layered aroma profile. The balance of sweet, salty, smoky, and fresh notes makes it particularly exciting.