At Total Wine I recently saw a three-pack of Tomatin miniatures containing the 12, 15, and 18 year old distillery bottlings. I don't believed I've reviewed a Tomatin on this blog yet and a vertical tasting is the perfect way to start. Let's get started with the 12 year old!
Tomatin 12
Color: Amber +0
ABV: 43%
Aroma Neat:
Creamy Barley Porridge, Light Honey, Lemon (even some lime), Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Graham Crackers, Pineapple, Cherry.
Fresh and spirit-driven. I must say, Tomatin's spirit is pure fruit salad! Light sherry influence is present and complementary.
Aroma Water:
Sweet Molasses/Muscovado Sugar, Fresh Barley, Sweet Red Apples, Coconut, Pineapple, Kiwi, Black Cherry.
A clean and very fruity dram.
Taste Neat:
Bitter Barley, Husk, Tannic Oak, Estery New-Make Spirit, Salted Milk Caramel (slightly).
Tannins tear tenaciously throughout tongue. I'd say this 12 year old drinks a tad on the young side too, making for a more "challenging" 12 year old than say, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, or Glenfarclas.
Taste Water:
Honey, Sweet Charcoal, Cherry, Burnt Barley (think chocolate malt), Marzipan, Nutmeg.
Sweet, spicy, malty, yummy!
Finish:
Cherry Cola, Bitter Cooked Barley, Tannic Oak, Char, Nuttiness (dry marzipan), Caramel.
Bitter and dry at first, but interesting. A cherry note up front is lovely. Structured tannins linger for a fair amount of time.
Conclusion:
A nice sherried dram.
Rating: 82/100
Josh
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