Tomintoul 14 Year Old

I finished my last light whisky (Balblair 2002) and was going through the cabinet in search of something that would satisfy my need for a nice light summery dram. I was quite happy when I remembered I had this Tomintoul still unopened and waiting.

Well, as a first comment, after opening this I realized I wouldn't call this whisky primarily light. Delicate and complex definitely, but rather lush than light. But I wasn't disappointed, quite the contrary.

The nose starts with a combination of a summery fruit basket and something reminiscent of beeswax shoe polish (not in a negative way). After a teaspoon of water added, the different fruits start to be more distinguishable. Some white fruits, but mostly yellow: lemon, banana and overripe pineapple. Also some aniseed.

The palate continues where the nose leaves. Intense summer fruits (pineapple, pears), sweet & sour honey and lemon oil, continuing into 'dry whitewine-like' oaky dryness with some delicate herbal notes I can't quite pinpoint.

The finnish is semi-dry with some mild oak, barley, honey and herbs.

Even after 14 years of maturation, this whisky is still in my opinion more spirit dominated than cask dominated. Having said that though, they are extremely well in balance. I can't really think of anything negative to say about this whisky. It's simply a very well made properly presented (46%, unchillfiltered, natural color) whisky. Bravo!

I did a tasting session (while watching Liverpool v Everton) last weekend comparing this malt with Glencadam’s 15 year. These malts are very similar weights and ages, matured in largely if not exclusively plain wood and both purport no colouring and non-chill filtered so I thought it would be an interesting comparison.

This is a very pale malt, almost colourless in good light, not very inviting, but the nose immediately grabs my attention (more so than the match in fact) white wine, cream and subtle citrus, quite a pungent blend. The palate is nicely weighted with the main themes of creamy white wine flavours continuing with a touch of aniseed thrown in. A pepperyness develops towards the finish which is long and creamy with some slight bitter almond at the death.

A touch of class, like Gerrard’s free kick which gave Liverpool the lead.

To celebrate the Speyside festival we have a new tasting: hidden gems of speyside. Tomintoul distillery was founded relatively recently in 1965. It takes its name from the nearby village, the highest in the Scottish highlands. Initially Tomintoul went mostly into blends, but recently it has released a range of excellent single malts, and these have been very well received.

Nose: A soft light honey with light wood spice and a veritable fruit bowl with apples, oranges, lemons, raspberries, pears, apricots and kiwi fruits.

Taste: Immediate oranges and lemons. Buzzing oak and a soft buttery maltiness and a hint of fresh coconut on the finish.