I loved the first batch of this Tomatin 36 Year Old and now we can try Batch #2. It is composed from first-fill Oloroso sherry butts and traditional American oak casks.
It is bottled at 46% but the distillery says it is ‘natural strength’ in some of their communications. Contrary to the first batch, this doesn’t seem to be a single vintage whisky.
Batch 2 has been given a different look, in the same bottle type as the rest of the core range, albeit housed in an oak presentation box with certificate. Funnily the wooden box is protected by some kind of felt purse. This in turn is protected by a cardboard box, which is protected by a plastic… no, just kidding (the felt purse is true though, how much packaging do you actually need?). Only 800 bottles released.
Tomatin 36 yo (46%, OB 2016, Batch #2, 800 btl.)
Tomatin 36 yo (46%, OB 2016, Batch #2, 800 btl.)Nose: highly aromatic. A bursting tropical fruit salad, including mango, pink grapefruits, guava, kiwi. Hints of herbal honey and touches of raspberry. Plenty of polished wood, including some women’s powder. Ginger and vanilla. Light earthy notes in the background.
Mouth: very smooth, with the expected tropical fruits (the ones above plus passion fruits, apricots and pears). Now also showing some nutty notes and orange peel. A light briny note, as well as cardamom and cloves. Perhaps a bit on the woody side.
Finish: long, on oaky notes, grapefruits, Seville oranges and clove.
Excellent Tomatin again, with the trademark tropical fruits complemented by some polished wood and spices. Around € 700, although the weak pound takes it down to around € 570 in the UK.
Score: 91/100