Tomatin 12 Years Old (40%, OB, 2014)

• Highland single malt scotch whisky
• 40% ABV [may be rising to 43% next year], RRP £33.99 for 70cl.
• Score: 81/100

What they say:

The Tomatin 12 year old has been the flagship malt for the distillery since 2003 when it replaced the 10 year old. Made from spirit matured for at least 11 years in 1st or 2nd fill American oak casks and 1st fill bourbon barrels before being transferred into Olorsos sherry butts for 6 to 9 months. This whisky won the recent World Whisky Awards Gold for Highland region whiskies of 12 years or younger.

Tasting notes
Nose: A complex, fresh and airy bouquet which contains rich malt and fruity aromas with a hint of peatiness.
Taste: The palate is rewarded with a unique combination of attractive flavours – a balance of apples, pears and malt with a gentle hint of nuttiness introduced by the subtle use of sherry wood. Very smooth and silky.
Finish: A wonderfully rich and elegant taste produces a long and satisfying finish; there is an oily richness which leads to a desire for more…

What I say:

Good mildly complex whisky, something to mull over, whilst the dry finish is quite moreish.

Colour:

Gold with a hint of bronze

Nose:

Like good Christmas cake with lots of fruit and nutty aromas, sherry fruity and fresh aroma

Taste:

Soft and cleaning uncomplicated and green, then rich and rounded with a light buttery then red fruity flavours

Finish:

Short, slightly warm then drying