Rosencrantz
Tomatin 18 Year Oloroso Sherry Casks
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
April 29, 2020 (edited May 1, 2020)
On the nose it is sweet and fresh, with a light herbaceous profile that acts as a counterpoint to a profusion of ripe fruit (pineapple, peach, pear, plum), raisins infused in alcohol, Milk candy, cinnamon. In the background, a woody caress (watch out for splinters). Amiable but not pimp.
The palate is interesting, placing a bitterish tip of licorice and anise next to the sweetness of the fruit, which together with chocolate, hazelnuts and, ça va sans dire, cinnamon adds thickness to the drink. Wood becomes more present, on the threshold of invasiveness but managing to keep just one step back, drying the tongue. A certain floral freshness remains, although largely in the background.
Medium-long finish, made of wood, anise, hazelnuts, raisins.
The bitter side I admit to be a bit unsettling, and to some it could be quite repulsive, while for me it is what has given this whisky an extra gear, making it varied and fun: the sherry endings they all tend to feel the same, while here wood has contributed to give a three-dimensionality.
We are right on the edge, an extra push and everything would have collapsed (therefore, more than ever, this is a very personal feel), but for me it is promoted.
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