This was the last Octomore I poured in this long series, and who knows when I will have another couple weeks dedicated to just Octomore… maybe never! Looking back now that I have reached the end, I cleary have a type: I generally rated older Octomore higher than younger ones, rarely noting them as being as brash, loud, and spirited (though this one had plenty of pepper at the end). The more maritime the malt, the more I enjoyed it no matter the age, while medicinal and candied qualities often dragged the score down, especially when they appeared together.  

This cask was another that Jim McEwan, former boss at Bruichladdich, brought with him into retirement. It was bottled by Bruce and Colin at Dramfool, who released dozens of casks with Jim McEwan. I tried this a few times before I sat down to review it, so I had some idea what I was getting into.

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Whisky: Octomore 11 Year (2012), Dramfool McEwan Signature Collection 9.3

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 63.3%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 11 Years (Distilled 15 Nov. 2012, Bottled Jan. 2024)

Notes: The aroma awoke memories of fishing boat charters with a clean maritime brine, bait shrimp buckets, mentholated cigarettes, diesel, and vinyl padded seats. A touch of minty, medicinal muscle rub lingered further in with fried fish skins and a spritz of refreshing citrus. Medium-bodied and slightly oily, with a clean, medicinal profile of citrus peel and compounded herbs.  Menthol and camphor appeared as muscle rubs, Vick’s vapor rub, moth balls, or cigarettes. The whisky shifted between them without a care, as wispy smoke from burning sage and pine nettles settled in the background. Sand and brine brought minerals, salt, and pepper to bear with charred driftwood and charcoal drafting supplies while a malty cereal quality lingered at the end— breakfast and sketching on the beach. The finish was medium to long with a brine, burnt wood, and kiss of peppery spirit.

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Score: 7 (84)

Mental Image: Fishing Charter in the Gulf

Conclusion: Overall, a pleasant finale! I found that water helped to tamp down some of the peppery elements, while elevating the citrus and adding a touch more earthy-grassy pasture to the background.  Though I diverge from McEwan on his love of wine cask maturations, a hallmark of the Dramfool releases, I appreciate his tendency toward first fill bourbon or sauternes casks for Octomore as I find those elevate some of my favorite aspects of the malt. The sweet nostalgia of fishing charters while on vacation as a child made for a charming culmination.