January 16, 2015

A little bag of Tomintoul

Some sometimes call the official Tomintouls ‘malts for tourists’, as indeed, you see them absolutely everywhere in Scotland, from the tiniest ‘Celtic’ shops to airport retail (where whisky’s become more expensive than anywhere else in the world, or so it seems).

Tomintoul 10 yo (40%, OB, +/-2014)

It seems that it’s been eight years since I last tried Tomintoul 10! Colour: pale gold. Nose: light and relatively malty and barleyish, with some overripe apples and a very wee metallic side, Irish style. It’s also rather floral, I do seem to find lilac, for example, as well as violets. Rather reminiscent of some blend, I’d say. Mouth: very easy, and once again a little ‘blendy’. Apple pie, a little fudge, butterscotch (quite a lot), a little candy sugar, a touch of maple syrup, a little liquorice, cornflakes… Quite pleasant but it’s also a little thin. Finish: rather short, somewhat ‘Kelloggy’ (what?) Grassier aftertaste. Comments: I’m always glad to try these whiskies because they perfectly represent what 75 points mean. Honest malty whisky without bells and whistles. For tourists indeed? SGP:341 - 75 points.

Let’s try an older official…

Tomintoul 16 yo (40%, OB, +/-2014)

The 16 has got a new livery as well. I really liked it last time I tasted it, but that was in 2007 (WF 81). Colour: gold. Nose: similar, obviously, just more on butterscotch, warm croissants, a pastry shop early on Sunday morning (yeah yeah) and maybe with the faintest hint of menthol and liquorice. Rubbed dill or fennel. Far from unpleasant. Mouth: same differences. A creamier body, more vanilla or rather custard, plenty of cornflakes, maybe walnuts and almonds, and certainly a lot of malt. Probably one of the maltiest malts around. Guinness. A few berries. Finish: rather short, candied and malty, with once again a grassier aftertaste. Comments: fine fine fine. Tourists are not being swindled. SGP:441 - 78 points.

Time to have an old indie, perhaps…

Tomintoul 45 yo 1968/2013 (48%, The Whisky Agency, The Perfect Dram, bourbon hogshead, 143 bottles)

Watch out, in my experience, these oldies can be a little flat and tired… Colour: bronze gold. There really are green hues, which may come from a nail and/or a patch. Nose: lovely lovely lovely (that’ll do, S.) Some very delicate notes of blood oranges, pomegranates and tinned litchis, coated with a little honeydew and a trace of olive oil, then more and more flowers, around dandelions, buttercups and other wild flowers. A very subtle and elegant nose, but you know, palates… Mouth: a little miracle, this one hasn’t got flat and oaky, it’s still pretty much alive, rather on oranges this time. Also earl grey tea, herbal teas, mint lozenges, a drop of Cynar (artichoke), or what we call amer bière in France (some kind of traditional bitter than some pour into their beers – don’t ask). Maybe also a touch of soap? Finish: rather short, fruity, soft, with only minor oakiness – a miracle indeed. A touch of peppery grass in the aftertaste. Comments: it’s a good opportunity to try a very old malt at a fair price (still available for +/-250€). SGP:551 - 88 points.

Check the index of all Tomintoul I've tasted so far