Octomore Series 15 Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney. November 13, 2024. Whisky #4 Nose: Dried fruit (raisins, figs, cranberries), cherry jam, sweet tropical fruit salad in syrup, mead, sauternes. The smoke note is deeper than on the 15.1 expression, with softer and more rounded qualities. It is still gentle Octomore smoke but more asphalt than bonfire and it contributes a warming harmony to the nose. There is also no evidence whatsoever of the 57.9%abv alcohol content – it is superbly contained and you can inhale the aromas deeply. Palate: Very sweet and chewy with creamy vanilla, nectarines, golden peaches, dried figs, and toffee. There are cereal notes but they are more like buttery croissant or cherry Danish than cereal flakes and they have a succulent, juicy quality. The mild peat smoke on the palate mainly shows up in the development and there is a very good, subtle note of oak. Finish: Medium/Long. The fruit and soft cereal grains segue into a sweet wine aftertaste with a curtain of mild smoke and a faint tingle of spice. This is a very good Octomore, as long as you like your expression with a strong wine cask influence (which I do). Considering the array of diverse casks used it is amazing that they all work together seamlessly to present a unified warm presence. Perhaps it’s because all the casks were European oak that it worked. Whatever the reason the result is marvelous. The alcohol is contained very well on both nose and palate and I swear you would never imagine you were tasting a whisky with an alcohol content in the high 50s. However the whisky also responds very well to reduction, water simply lowering the intensity of aroma and flavour while maintaining balance. Rubbery or plastic notes never emerge and the profile remains sweet and warm. This is one of my favourite recent Octomores and if it had been available for purchase at the tasting I would have bought a bottle. Recommended. “Very Good” : 87/100 (4.25 stars)