Octomore 2014 5 Years Single Malt Whisky

Whiskyspace Notes 2080

Jun 26, 2026, 20:53:43

This dram’s got a proper medicinal kick right off the bat – reminds me of those cask samples you’d get straight from the still at the distillery. There’s a brutal grassy edge, like chewing on a handful of herbs, but it’s oddly charming. The bourbon cask influence is pure and clean, but it’s got this antiseptic, iodine punch that’s not for the faint-hearted. You get whiffs of tar and bark, almost like a campfire in a pharmacy, while the sweetness of preserved peaches fights through the smoke. It’s fruitier than I expected, with a touch of rhubarb lurking in the background, but then there’s this quinine-like bitterness that’s ten times more intense than your average dram. The finish is smoky, like smoked crème brulée left out in the rain – weirdly appealing but not eternal. A bit petroly, maybe, but balanced with a clean, sunflower-oil smoothness. Roots and lovage make it feel like a garden party gone wild. Not bad at all, but definitely one to sip slowly and think about. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1881

Jun 23, 2026, 23:15:27

Right, this one's a bit of a ride. First thing that hits me is this weirdly lovely rhubarb note, like crumble on a Sunday but then it shifts into something quite industrial — creosote, tar, almost like walking past a freshly painted fence. There's a grassy kick that's honestly pretty brutal at first, but it mellows out. I'm getting smoked almonds too, and a hint of that iodine medicinal thing, like a proper old-school antiseptic. Not in a bad way, just... distinctive, you know? The sweetness is almost there, like it's teasing you — think burnt sugar on a crème brûlée but never fully commits. There's this soy sauce umami thing lurking underneath which sounds odd but works somehow. 🤷‍♂️ Gets fruitier as it opens up, catching some preserved peaches and lime. The petroly bit is wild, like there's actual petrol fumes hiding in there somewhere. Honestly it's quite well put together for something so intense. Not eternal, wouldn't want it to be. Nice for a few drams on a rainy evening.

Whiskyspace Notes 1801

Jun 23, 2026, 14:35:51

Took a sip and straight away got hit with this proper medicinal kick, like Mercurochrome and iodine dancing on the tongue. There’s a heavy smoke vibe, almost creosote-like, but not too overpowering. The palate’s got a strange mix – sweet preserved peaches up front, then this tangy rhubarb sneaking in at the back. It’s weirdly petroly compared to the usual stuff, but the bourbon cask influence keeps it grounded with vanilla and oak. The finish is long, with notes of sunflower oil, soy sauce, and a hint of lovage that’s oddly charming. Brutally grassy, yet somehow easy to drink. Reminds me of those cask samples at the distillery, raw and honest. Not bad at all, actually – quite excellent in its own quirky way.