CKarmios
Tomatin 12 Year Bourbon & Sherry Casks
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
August 18, 2020 (edited September 9, 2020)
A fresh and elegant floral note of jasmine flowers, lightly dipped in rosewater plays hide and seek with notes of candy apple, caramel, golden raisins and winter spices.
Unfortunately, the palate does not carry over from the remarkable nose. At 43% ABV, that first sip feels strangely hot and harsh. The oloroso sherry cask finish does impart an earthy musty, dry sweetness, but for the most part it stays hidden behind a tarty, oak-forward bitterness. Ringed by a circle of salt, the mid palate feels empty, or hollow, of any discernible flavours. The oak wood bitter note re-appears at the back to finally carry on through to a lingering, oily finish, accompanied by faint cinnamon and nutmeg spices.
Overall, for its price, I did appreciate this dram. Having said that, I couldn't help but feel let down by the palate, especially after that first experience on the nose.
PS: Adding water reduces the harshness, mollifies the bitterness and brings up heretofore hidden almonds.
25.0
EUR
per
Bottle
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Quite right @ContemplativeFox ; it intrigues me with some distilleries. Nowadays, there's so much competition for the home shelf, not just from within Scotland but other countries too, not only from the big brands but also the smaller craft distilleries, that you'd think they'd pay a bit more attention to their entry level offerings - after all, for a great many of us that's the first impression we'll have of a distillery's lineup.
At least it isn't too expensive, but it sounds like a distillery that's not worth seeking out.