The .3 releases of Octomore are traditionally made with Islay-grown barley from James Brown’s Octomore Farm near Port Charlotte. This year’s edition is peated to 194 parts per million of phenols and matured for five years in American Oak casks. The nose has touches of dried leaves, heather, and peat smoke with a good maltiness and hints of grilled citrus fruits. The taste is malty, smoky, and peppery with ground peppercorns complementing a good peaty character and a touch of toasted bread with orange marmalade in the background. The finish is long and smoky with that same hint of orange marmalade-covered toast and lingering spices. (September, 2020)