Tomatin 15 Year Old
Fantastic Neutral Scotch
0 289
Review by @Benancio
- Nose21
- Taste23
- Finish22
- Balance23
- Overall89
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I bought this online at Hi-Time Wine for $45. I include the price for record. I haven’t noticed this in the store before but my salesman gave me a sample of the 12y and 15y, I enjoyed them both.
One bit of bad news from their website is the 15 year old and 30 Year Old expressions are discontinued, better buy while they last. One bit of good news from their website, the 14 year old Port Wood Finish and a batch release 1988 vintage are being introduced.
The 15 Year Old is Matured in refill American Oak casks. The 15 Year Old is 43% alc./vol. It is un-peated and un-sherried. I expected this to be a neutral scotch and it is. I prefer lighter sherry flavors, and more complex scotches. The fact that this is a neutral scotch makes it difficult to disguise bad smells or flavors. I highly commend Tomatin for doing a great job of that creating a fantastic neutral scotch.
Smell: Honey, Malted barley, bran, straw, kiwi, apples, and candied fruit. There is a scent of fresh laundry.
Palette: It’s tastes of pine nuts and I like that. I taste biscuits, vanilla, almonds, banana. It has a peppery taste right away 43% ABV, a little dry and nice pepper spice.
Finish: The finish is long. It’s a well-balanced. Color: Pale for a 15y, means no caramel added (great) and second use barrels.
Water: Drink it neat. Light Neutral Scotches don’t need water. 43% ABV.
Conclusion: Just one sip and you know you are drinking scotch. I’m very pleased and I enjoyed it easily. What makes this a great scotch is it has absolutely no off or bad notes. I can’t stand vegetable smells or taste, this scotch has none of that. I can’t stand sulphury smell or metallic taste, this scotch has none of that. Tomatin could do AMAZING things with a 15y like this if it spent 1 year in other barrels.
I never really heard of Tomatin before this summer but I’m glad I bought three of these. I’ll probably try and get a few more.
I will see how it’s affected by air after a few months and post an update.
Recommended: High Above Average scotch, great value.
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Excellent review. I quite agree with you, as this is my favourite. Just as you mentioned, the 15 is discontinued and we have already the 14 y/o Port Cask finished replacement on the shelves next to the dwindling supply of 15 which I tend to be picking up when I see them. I think as you explore the Tomatin range you may find 1 or 2 more that you will enjoy. I personally enjoy the 18 very much (it is quite different) but the 15 is still dearest! thanks again.