Whisky Review: Benromach 10 Year Old and Octomore Masterclass 08.1

Today we taste and review Benromach 10 Year Old and Octomore Masterclass 08.1 Single Malt Scotch.
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Whisky and Whiskey (it depends on where it’s from) have been an important part of cultures around the world from time immemorial. Whiskey is a part of the very fabric of Western society, and in most places, is as common and accessible as beer.
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Learning how to share your love of whiskey in a way that connects people to the history and the story has more to do with public speaking and storytelling than it does with facts and tests.

[@J4NZK1]

Finally! I have waited this for so long. Rex did pretty good job with my name (the first try), but totally cheated with the ä. Cody Powers had a good pronunciation tip on Facebook; "Pronounced like Yarwenpaa (The a's like in the word mad)". If you see this, I encourage you to try it. ;) - Janne Järvenpää

[@albenjammin]

I would actually like to see a whiskey of the year that you BOTH agree on. Not your individual one but the one you BOTH enjoyed. That would be very useful as it would probably appeal to most people.

[@Muskoxing]

YES, love the appreciation for Benromach 10! One of the most underrated whiskies out there IMO. So thick and fudgy and earthy.

[@meesternibbles]

Welp, adding benromach to my ever-expanding "must try" list.

[@maltymission]

you will not be disappointed! Benromach is the bomb. the regular 10 (at 43% ABV) is really good and then you have the 100 proof (at 57% ABV) that is quite brilliant!

[@j.edwards5604]

So having the 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1 to head to head I'd say the 8.1 is certainly the most balanced and polite of the Octomore. I'm a highland drinker by far and the 8.1 was a pleasant surprise to add to the collection. I have an 8.3 sitting at my uncle's that I have to go pick up and I hear that's even more balanced (given the 300+ ppm it packs). Prior to friends introducing me to the Islays the biggest peat in the collection was in the Scapa Orcadian, Tomatin Cu Bocan, and Aberfeldy 21, which are all very polite. Love the videos boys, killed many a rainy afternoon watching them.

[@devoid42]

Gonna add my vote on having a coffee episode. I've been a hardcore coffee drinker my whole life, but kinda late to the game on whisky. Your channel has been a great intro to things.

[@nolanwolf1828]

After watching your guys videos for a while i decided to try whisky for myself to see if it would be something i enjoyed. the only kind of alchol ive enjoyed in the past has been red wines and various sake. so i went to the local alchol store, kinda forgot about all of the beginner whiskeys ya'll mentioned in the top 10 beginner whiskeys video, and i grabbed a bottle of suntory toki. i really enjoyed what i got, now i can say im a big fan. thank you for introducing me to whiskey!

[@kevinhoctor62]

My wife, who’s not a whisky drinker but treated me to a 4-day Islay whisky tour and drank at 7 distilleries-yes, she is a keeper-feels that the Octomore 8.1 is more drinkable than several Ardbeg or Laphroaig expressions. I have to agree. The 8.1 has a softer smoke than others. More mature and less sting. I’ve been loving it.

[@tonycronin3080]

Yes please do a episode on Irish coffee. Have always been interested about it.

[@cmcginley20able]

I'd like to see that Irish coffee episode. I know Daniel is also really into coffee, so I think your creation could be something magnificent!

[@Rivers1997]

So today is my 21st birthday! I’m training to be a cigar sommelier but I love whiskey also! I bought highland park 12! After I bought it I came home to my fiancé and her dad got me highland park magnus! My first whiskey was Dalmore then laphroaig. But this comparison with a southern draw Jacobs ladder lancers is the most glorious thing in the world! Daniel please try this cigar with highland park or laphroaig

[@BradsWhiskeyJourney]

This makes me very happy that I managed to order a bottle of the Octomore 8.1 yesterday...

[@ChadWinters]

I haven't had the Benromach before, definitely going on the list!

[@papertheproducer]

Just got this for Christmas and like it a lot.

[@alyr9640]

Oooh. Benromach. In my top 5 to get. Nice to see you review it. Thanks Jaan! Ps...rex...too funny...your mouth tapped out and had nothing else to give ya so...mint. 😂

[@gmscooter]

After binging Spider Robinson books and hearing the characters singing the praises of an Irish coffee long ago, I had to try one. I got addicted to them. The whiskey is a compliment to the bitterness of the coffee. Just the right amount of sugar and cream makes it magical. I usually use Jameson. I think a dedicated show comparing different whiskeys in the coffee would be fantastic.

[@hoth2112]

Octomore 6.1 was my first Scotch. And now I have like 8 different bottles of Scotch.. including Octomore 9.1 and 8.1.. l im really hyped to crack open my bottle of 8.1 later this month and share it with my friends. Im also really excited for the next 10year Octomore thats releasing sometime soon. Its not cheap, but its a worthwhile experience. Tho currently my favorite Scotch is my bottle of Port Charlotte Islay Barely, not nearly as peaty, but its certainly a most excellent Islay single malt!

[@maltphilistine923]

After having tried literally a couple of Irish whiskies to make Irish coffee, I have to say I really like Jameson for making Irish coffee's. FYI: This time of year, iced Irish coffee is awesome!

[@MrNoobslayer115]

Would be cool to see your whiskeys of the year!!

[@bavo981]

I love whisky

[@Viroh]

Yeah please do the irish coffee episode. My mother's favorite drink is irish coffee with jameson, would be cool to make her a superior cocktail.

[@dant1349]

Try Jameson Black Barrel. The subtle difference between that and the standard Jameson bottling brings it to a whole new level of delicious.

[@brothajohn]

Try the Stout Caskmate too. It partners with coffee so amazingly well.

[@lippy22]

Just to give you a third option, try the sexton.

[@robinsharkey6658]

@@lippy22 I wasn't a huge fan of sexton when I cracked it so I forgot about it for about three months after drinking about 6 ounces out of it. Low and behold after that breathing period it was phenomenal!!

[@thegoatchild3545]

Try with Connemara....😉

[@brothajohn]

These are both going on my wish list.

[@crow468]

Benromach is just freaking delicious. The 15 is pretty amazing as well!

[@kelg9068]

Benromach 10 year old might be my desert island dram! I love that scotch and the 100 proof is as good if not better.

[@inf0phreak]

Sitting here with a bottle of Benromach 10. It's all maltiness, apple, pear - as Speyside-y as it comes - but then there's that wisp of smoke which just makes it soooo delicious. If I find a stable supply of this stuff, I might become addicted.

[@wesmodena]

Please review dimple 12 or 15. Love to hear the thoughts on it. Monkey shoulder is one of my favourites but dimple was the first scotch that i had.

[@canadianwhiskysmith6453]

The Octomore 10 Year was the first peated whisky that I really fell in love with. It was a breakthrough whisky for me; the first time I got dark chocolate followed by hints of cherries and dark fruit. It was a turning point in my appreciation of all things peated. The rep at the tasting also had a bottle of the unreleased (Nov 2017) Octomore 08.1. Technically she wasn't giving out samples of it, but the store manager knew me and said she could pour me a bit. Following on the heels of the 10 Year, I was able to again, taste beyond the peat to pick out flavours that would have previously been locked away (smoked salmon, anyone?). My one regret from my first encounter with Octomore was that on that day (of all the days) I didn't have my tasting book with and therefore have no real record of the flavour profile, save for my memory of the impressions they left me with. Sadly, the price point on Octomore is a bit beyond me at this point. But some day... P.S. If you want to learn how to make Ardbeg taste like pure candy, drink some Octomore 07.1 first :-D P.P.S. Since you have an 07.1 and 08.1...How do they compare? :-D

[@bengonzalez5873]

I gotta try that Benromach. Also, every time I hear Rex speak he sounds just like Jeff Daniels to me.

[@guilemaigre14]

i got to taste the Octomore 08.3/ 309ppm. At 5 years of age, that whisky is intresting but maybe a bit too young. But yeah, Octomore is something to try, it is impressive.

[@blainesmith464]

Octomore's are a "Serious Man's Whisky" My FAVORITES over everything I have tasted. Cheers.

[@calebsteingruber6906]

That BenRomach sounds just lovely, with notes of Devonshire cream you say? Oh, I love proper cream, and there is no cream like what they make in Devon. What I'd do for some clotted cream right now!

[@dmshampton]

I hope to be able to try Octomore sometime in my life, it sounds so interesting.

[@JasonWhiskyWise]

If you ever get a chance try something from the 06._ or 07._ series as they has some great whiskies.

[@England1674]

Daniel and rex today I also watched Ralphie's latest video review 736 extras. Understanding flavors/ sensation in whiskeys. I feel like it's something worth talking about. I was just wondering if you could maybe do a video on it and explain it in your own words and ways.

[@rinev_]

What's the best/strangest whiskey food combination you've found? I discovered that Crown Royal Northen Harvest and Honey Nut Cheerios (without milk) is an interesting combo

[@radiohead1911]

I think you just added two more to my wishlist.

[@johnhull2886]

Best rating scale I have heard to date..."I care 97 degrees worth"

[@canadianwhiskysmith6453]

Ooooo...08.1 tasted a bit kippery with kelp. Tried it back in November at a special tasting and dubbed it the Sushi of Scotch :-)

[@burtoncarriker3430]

Have you done a video that details the basic flavor profiles of the different Scotch regions?

[@bitterandjaded_]

So if you chill a barrel before emptying it in the bottling process it should kick up the barrel notes a little by expelling more of the liquid from the wood. Is there a preference for bottling in the winter versus summer for some distillers? I wonder if it's a noticeable difference or if the other factors mask the effect.

[@burgoscucusu]

Rex & Daniel: Have you tried Smokey Joe? It is an affordable Islay vatted malt and is very tasty. I get a black olive note in it and was wondering what you think about it.

[@jcfernandez9193]

On this ageing thing, if you where to place clear spirit on a barrel size glass container with adedd wood of any variance, would it still be aged Wyskey or flavored spirit? And after maybe you placed it in an actual wood barrel

[@DanielGomez-rp3qp]

I think they should do a top 5 of the whiskies that they tasted in the year.

[@Preussenpenner]

Daniel Gomez Top 12 would be great , one per month ☝

[@datSnoz]

You guys need to review Octomore 8.3!

[@jasonkleschult9118]

The Benromach 10 is, to date, the only whisky that I didn’t finish. Granted, it was probably the 4th or 5th scotch that I had ever tasted. All I could smell was bandaid. Luckily, it was just a 50 ml bottle.

[@iladdiewhiskynerd4924]

I added this video to my 08.x playlist ;)

[@dickvonzombieslayer]

Irish coffees are good with Teeling. 1oz whiskey, 3oz coffee, with a heavy cream top 🤤

[@godfrey9805]

Recently my wife grabbed my bottle of Jameson Caskmate and for the first time, found a whiskey she enjoyed. She has been asking about getting other Irish whiskeys and giving them a try. Would redbreast be a safe option to try next? What are your thoughts?

[@AdamPFarnsworth]

So I'm an Octomore newb, I've never had it, but I'm aware of it. I looked it up online and realized that it's from Bruichladdich. I guess I never realized that, but it makes sense lol

[@JohnnyKnoxvil]

After finding your channel, I’ve binged watched at least 100 episodes if not more, and as I was drinking Bulleit Rye, I thought of a question. After about 10/15 seconds, does the Bulleit rye leave an earl grey tea taste to you guys as well? Or am I going crazy?

[@CptDankWaffles]

I'm a recent subscriber that got into whisk(e)y at the beginning of the year and only found your channel a month or two ago. I'm from South Africa and have been able to get my hands on buffalo trace and monkey shoulder and I really enjoyed them. I have a question though what South African whiskeys have you tried and what do you think of them?(if you have tried any of them?)

[@MateuszSala]

For me B10 it's full green cucumber.

[@patriklarsson1425]

Hello, we have had a hot summer so far (90-100f). I wonder what this Will do too my whiskys. We live in Sweden and we dont have an AC in the house so should i start drinking them all (30 bottles) or is it just fine. Thanks for a great show// Patrik Larsson

[@jcetera]

is there a video on the best representation scotch from each region? is McClelland a good go to since they have it by region?

[@Nasse83]

You did good on the pronounsiation.

[@markushautamaki5509]

Hey guys, I drifted into the world of whiskey and your channel from the Pewdiepies channel few months ago, and have been catching up the episodes ever since. I really enjoy your content and to be honest, even bought a few bottles because of your influence (including a bit pricy Hibiki Harmony, 83€ here in Finland). There is one thing though that I haven't quite figured out, what does it mean when some whiskey is 100 proof and some other is lets say 150 proof? Thanks for the awesome videos and keep up the good work!

[@kiscsicsak]

Markus Hautamäki proof is one of the few measurement of alcohol content. Us proof is double of abv, imperial proof is 1,75*abv if I’m correct. 100us proof is 50%abv 100 imperial proof is 57% abv

[@Markus_Heinonen]

Markus Hautamäki: Moikka! 100 proof is 50% and 150 proof would be 75%

[@Nasse83]

Markus Hautamäki proof is mainly an American thing now, it's basically 2xABV.

[@JasonWhiskyWise]

@Markus Hautamaki, Hibiki Harmony is a well balanced dram which I'm sitting with tonight with a couple other Japanese whiskies, when it comes to Proof its basically the American way for writing ABV but doubled. So... 100 Proof = 50% Abv 150 Proof = 75% Abv One American whisky which is well known Wild Turkey's 101 is just 50.5% abv. Hope that helped! Cheers!

[@the-chillian]

Where are you finding anything marketed as whiskey that comes in at 150 proof?!?

[@vulftheviking4100]

Do you fine gentlemen get a wintergreen finish whenever you drink a peated whisk(e)y or is that just something that my palate gets from it?

[@KahunaGlassArt]

Have you guys done a top speyside video? If not please do one 👊🏽

[@Chris-qq2cu]

Dan, after watching the documentary “Neat” I got to know a lot more about some of the men behind the large brands of bourbon. So in your journey, who would you say is your whisk(e)y hero?

[@tommccafferty5591]

Have you ever poured a whisk(e)y through a wind aerator? What would aeration like that do to the nose and taste?

[@kiscsicsak]

At last! Some Benromach! :))

[@mainzman7239]

Indeed. My favourite distillery. Their 15 year old is awesome, as is the Chateau Cissac.

[@midnight_melancholy]

Any chance we can get preorders on shirts and other clothing? Thats what ive been missing everytime! Thanks!

[@whiskeygolfer3028]

Before the eagle d*** punch Rex would never ask “why are we doing two whiskeys at once?”.

[@Assenayo]

I tried the 8.1 straight after 7.3 and I must say it left me wanting something. It fell flat for me. Maybe its the Scottish vs Islay barley. Im tasting 8.3 soon and I've been told it makes everything right again. Its 5 years and 309ppm

[@SCT15H]

Smokey aggression, I hope I can use that in general conversation one day

[@davesharpe5158]

In which episode do the guys compare glassware towards the end? They compare everything to a Glencairn.

[@thegoatchild3545]

My desert island whisky. Slainte!🥃

[@phauntis]

Has a whiskey ever been stored in a rapid heat change room, like daily heat changes but more regulated than climit varience. Rocking the temp back and forth day to day to increase the movement in the barrel? No cost spared ;)

[@hhildering3196]

Benromach 15? The 10 is also amazing, but the 15.... Also the bottle stand on the bottle is a nice gesture, you can also use it as a cap for your glencairn :D

[@EodenValmer]

To say; the peat isn't from peat reek, but from the peaty water from the water source. That makes it sweeter (The Benromach...the better whisky)

[@PreppinShootinLivin]

How does that Benromach compare to Bowmore 12?

[@JasonWhiskyWise]

Looking at the Octomore 08.1 and thinking about my upcoming trip to ISLAY, Which distilleries would you recommend I visit in my 36 hours on Islay?

[@WhiskeyVault]

ALL OF THEM....

[@tommccafferty5591]

Where did you find the Octomore near Austin?

[@Nasse83]

Hyvä Janne! Torille?

[@Fav-zq8kq]

You two have converted a Rye drinker to single malt. Talisker 10 is about as Petey has I can go. I'm just had a budget rye " Old Henry Clan" 43% MGP that was complex without the licorice you often describe. Next budget whiskey video mix in this value priced gem.

[@chrish12345]

is it peat or sulphur in the Benromach?

[@patrickgeraghty6422]

Towards the end of the video Daniel compared the mint note to the finish of Lagavulin 16. Lagavulin 16 is the peatiest/smokiest whiskey I've had, so how does that compare to the Octomore? Is it the same vegetal/wet wood smoke or is it different?

[@WhiskeyVault]

Octomore Is a whole other level of Peat. Burnt end barbecue wrapped in bacon and brown sugar and served with figs

[@stanislavmigra]

I have completly same Octomore 8.1 first impression as Daniel and Rex here. On the nose nice tame, balanced and the god dammit im breathing fire and smoke :-OOO

[@brianolsen396]

You never did the Talisker Storm. You only did the Dark Storm. Can you compare the two?

[@ajbranson2]

Would Benromach be a good entry into scotch? Ive had monkey shoulder and was not impressed... Im more of a bourbon guy and want to like scotch just as much but haven't found a good gateway yet...

[@JimmyJusa]

When they state that something is aged in multiple types of barrels, as in this case it's bourbon and sherry, does the whole batch go through both or could it be a blend of some aged in bourbon and some aged in sherry?

[@kiscsicsak]

Jimmy J its a blend. 80% came from bourbon, 20% from sherry, then the blend gets around 9 month of sherry finish as far as i know.

[@Bkeller86]

Where can I find the Benromach in Texas? (Austin, TX but willing to drive) Specs no, Total Wine nope

[@Nastyness714]

I may need to adjust my screen settings. Not naming who, but someone is looking very tan these days!! Ha! Keep up the good work Daniel!

[@shaesnell3938]

Review the benromach 15

[@georgemiller2797]

How up to date is the spread sheet of whiskies that you have? I was looking at it last night and saw a hole or two in the list i could fill.

[@WhiskeyVault]

It's missing a few to 300. Working on updating it soon!

[@georgemiller2797]

I'll keep a weather eye on it!

[@chrisuhland2893]

9th? It's a Love Touch o' peat (que Rod Stewart)

[@alwayza9er]

7.1 or 8.3?

[@danielwhipple9589]

Austin gets that much rain?

[@kiralyzsolt8268]

Guys if you want to know what Irish Coffee reallyis go to The Dead Rabbit. The guys are up and running again after their fire incident. GIVE THEM A SHOUT OUT please. They truly deserve it!

[@SamuraiHuey]

Wait.....rain water in Texas? I thought that place was a desert?

[@thewhiskycouch7886]

This is going to be goooooood!! 👏🥃!!

[@papantlaflayer-l-9062]

Yeees whisky of the year

[@happilyham6769]

I purchased a bottle. It cost me eighty Canadian dollars.

[@rickharthoorn8636]

which whiskey you do not like????

[@fenxis]

Daniel Clarkson: MOAR PEAT

[@matthewmorin7016]

I'm going to bet that the Benromach is using E150. That's looks a lot darker than other 10 year old scotches I have seen.

[@Thryller42]

Now i have to pour a dram of my 7.3 Islay Barley (sadly my only Octomore). On a tuesday. Without any special occasion. That´s your fault guys! ;)

[@matthewwright57]

So, in a world of Talisker, Oban, Highland Park, and Classic Laddie. How salty is this?

[@gregdankert]

Rex - No love for Ralfy?

[@GordonAtkinson]

OCTOMORE!!!!

[@schoemanstoffel77]

Rex tell the Hobbit Master (Just kidding I have loads of respect for the small Giant) to check his facebook messages. I have a surprise for the tribe