Octomore 14.1

Number 4 in the countdown to 300 (it may be obvious at this point what my 300th will be). I’m not sure how I’ve only just poured my very first Octomore? Bruichladdich are in my Top 5 distillery picks, no question about it, and yet to have never tasted these experimental delights? It feels wrong. Well let’s right that wrong right now… N: Wow, not what I was expecting. Bright, yet brooding. Peat smoke is unsurprisingly everywhere. Ashy campfire embers, meaty BBQ, coconut and oily toasted nuts provide a robust backbone to an otherwise lemony and slightly floral brightness. P: Bold, and with some high ABV but it isn’t aggressive; just quite big. Very briny and with what I can only describe as the charred lemons I end up with after cleaning my BBQ post cook up. A creaminess unfolds with time that is a little ashy but with chocolates and pear and fresh pastry with plenty of bakery spice. F: Medium. The citrus, ash and brine all persist but as they fade butterscotch and vanillin come out. The last thing to wisp away is a floral peat note. At the high ABV this demanded a couple of drops of water and time to marry. The dram becomes much greener and sweeter. There are grassy or soft herb vibes coming through along with a bit of coffee bitterness. With no other Octomores in the bank to compare to I don’t know how this sits. Is it the immediately brilliant normalcy of Bruichladdich, no assuredly not. But it is still Bruichladdich that heart is apparent. What this is is something altogether different, indeed thats what the Octomores are meant to be about as I understand it. Big, ashy peat adds an interesting textural dimension to what is a heavy and brooding youngster, and I think it’s a fun dram to try and keep up with, it certainly shifts and subverts expectations from start to end. Distiller whisky taste #297 [Pictured here with a piece of vein graphite from Ceylon in Sri Lanka. This graphite is unique, Sri Lanka is the only place in the world with commercially extractable quantities of coarse vein graphite. Hosted by Precambrian aged high temperate metamorphic rocks (granulite) this vein of graphite represents CO2 extracted from the mantle during the amalgamation of the supercontinent Gondwana, forming veins as pressure was released during rapid uplift of the crust]. Bruichladdich running scores Classic Laddie: 4/5 Bruichladdich 18 re/define: 4.75/5 Black Art 10.1 29 y/o: 5/5 Port Charlotte 10: 4.5/5 Port Charlotte CC:01: 5/5 Octomore 14.1: 4/5

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)

Nose: Smoked vanilla, sweet caramel, and toffee notes open on the nose, with sooty smoke balanced with delicate coconut and flaked almonds. There is an unmistakable earthy smokiness and a hint of citrus, with lemon meringue pie cutting through rich barbeque pork. Palate: Medium mouthfeel. Bright citrus, smoke and a distinct minerality come through on the palate, followed by charred oak and beach bonfire embers. Toffee and creamy vanilla are balanced with the earthy smoke, with bright notes of pear and green apple simultaneously adding brightness and depth. Roasted coffee, hints of clove and nutmeg begin to come to the fore, with a gentle hint of heather honey. Finish: Butterscotch and vanilla are balanced with Octomore’s signature earthy peat smoke and a hint of salt spray, with burnt heather settling on the finish. Conclusion: Supremely well-balanced dram; one of the best whiskies I've ever had. It matches the previous Octomore drams I've previously had as top-tier whiskey.

Scotch Lodge whisky advent calendar flight of the 14.x Series Nose: crisp bright vanilla, an initially aggressive smoke that quickly gives way to sweeter notes, sharp oak, a bit of cereal, light seaweed and solid salinity. A hint of caramel sweetness as it opens. A few drops of water brings out a beautiful full bodied barley/cereal note. Palate: strong punch of alcohol and pungent peat initially, sweet vanilla cream, lemon zest, sooty smoke throughout. Nice charred oak character, a bit sweet a bit smoky. Sweeter than expected. Water brings out sweeter caramel and orange zest. Finish: salt air, smouldering peat fire.

Good intro to Octomore, my first pour was a little rough but it gets much easier once you’re ready for the richness and complexity. Nose is very tame, dare I say delicate compared to the pallet, very briney and smokey at first, but once you get past that the flavor settles into a sweet and rich taste. So many flovors to pull apart that I won’t even try, You will notice the proof, but once you get past it and aclimated you wont be able to stop sipping it. Not my favourite octomore, but octomore never disappoints, buy it, you wont regret it, then go and buy one of the “.3” releases and get blown away.

Nose - no burn, I'd like to say a 'soft' peaty essence Taste - much more peat here with a meaty and briney taste Finish - easy and smoky, light to no burn Score - 4.5, very solid, for a higher ABV it's very easy to drink Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a solid choice 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate