I’ve had a specific tasting request for this one (you’re welcome Stuart) so let’s dive right in and try this recent Tomatin 1976 bottled by Whisky-Doris in Germany.
Note that Whisky-Doris bottlings are now locally available in Holland (Whiskybase) and Belgium (Jurgen’s Whiskyhuis) which might save you a few bucks on shipping costs.
Tomatin 34yo 1976 (49,5%, Whisky-Doris 2011, dark sherry hogshead #9, 139 btl.)
Tomatin 34yo 1976 (49,5%, Whisky-Doris 2011, dark sherry hogshead #9, 139 btl.)Nose: not exactly the tropical fruits we’d expected. It’s more sherried with ‘darker’ flavours. Herbal honey and fruits like ripe plums, raisins and blueberries. Overripe melon. Beehive notes. Mint. Some grassy elements, even something remotely earthy after some airing.
Mouth: good strength, very sweet and fruity. Almost liqueur-like at some point. Blackberry or forest fruit jam. Prunes. Nicely coated with mint. Some ripe tropical fruits now, but still not as much as others. Then a wave of fresh herbs and oak before it develops some fondant chocolate towards the end.
Finish: medium long, with chocolate, fruits and soft oak until the very end.
Maybe not my personal favourite among the Tomatin 1976’s (for being less typical) but still excellent whisky. I suppose it was drawn from a more active sherry cask and this overpowers the more delicate tropical flavours a little. Around € 170.
Score: 91.5/100