Tomatin Cask Strength (57.5%, OB, 2015)

• Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Tomatin Distillery
• Bottling: Takara Shuzo
• ABV: 57.5%
• Cost: £50.53

What they say

Cask Type: Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Sherry casks
Strength: Natural

The Cask Strength Edition is our most vivacious expression, yet still retains Tomatin’s characteristically rich and sweet undertones. Matured in a classic combination of first fill ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks, aromas of golden syrup and ginger biscuits prevail while flavours of malt loaf and marzipan lead to a dry, lingering spicy finish.

What I say

Collected as a driver’s dram following an excellent tour of Tomatin distillery, to take home and savour at a later date.

The Cask Strength edition is made from a mixture of both Sherry and Bourbon cask matured stock and carries no age statement.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Rich full gold (9/20) slow, numerous medium-sized tears with tapered legs.
• Nose: Sweet honey drizzled over vanilla ice cream, some chopped nuts too, malty, cinnamon spice, orange peel, zesty citrus, fudge or caramel sauce, hints of leather and tannin, red and dried fruits, with water the sweetness increases, dried fruit, vanilla and spice also increase.
• Taste: Zesty and zingy, with plenty of spiced red fruits, red apples, pineapple, honey, fudge, caramel sauce, raspberry ripple and vanilla ice cream preced a touch of oak, fresh root ginger, golden raisins, pepper and marzipan.
• Finish: Medium-long, zesty, nutty and malty with a good dollop of honey keeping it all sweet.

Overall

Zesty but not overly exuberant or young, this carries water well and retains much of its complexity even when reduced. More wood than spirit characteristics perhaps reflecting the lighter nature of Tomatin.

Score 83/100

Shop for Tomatin Cask Strength 57.5% (opens Master of Malt)

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