Repeat tasting: Octomore Series 15 Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney. November 13, 2024. Whisky #2 The nose was more floral than I had remembered with greater orange blossom aromas, but the smoke note description from before is accurate (see below). The green vegetal notes I picked up previously reminded me this time round of linen cloth, which is interesting as both are common off-note aromas. Other than that the rest of my notes were the same although I did spend more time reducing the dram this time. I noted an absence of rubber or plastic on the watered nose and an overall improvement from reduction. I’m feeling generous so I’m increasing my rating by one percentage point. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars) --------------------------------------------------- Octomore 14 Series Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 21 February 2024. Whisky #3 Nose: Lemon juice, lemon curd, orange-blossom water, chalk-dust and a curious peat-reek that is mild but deep – like a huge bonfire that has burned out and then been rained on. Let’s call it “residual enormity”. Adding water brings out green vegetable water (boiled Brussels sprouts and asparagus but it’s only a mild vegetal quality) and also some sweet cotton-candy notes. Palate: A surprisingly soft and mildly peated arrival that gains some sharpness and an edge as it develops, with ashen citrus notes and brine coming forward as the dominant character. Adding water produces a herbal quality and makes the texture notably creamy. Finish: Medium/Long. Citrus, herbs, olives and grassy notes together with a lot of ash. A good Octomore - not one of the best I’ve tasted but better than some I’ve had in recent years. The “.1” expressions are always the most honest and revealing of the distillery character and that is certainly true here. However, it’s a little scalpel-sharp and glittering for my preference, with the citrus and an almost mescal-like sweetness battling for supremacy. It has a raw, untamed quality which is admirable, but not immediately likable. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)