One of 4 samples very generously gifted to me by Scotty’s Drams, this Tobermory is from Robertson’s Of Pitlochry, a large off-license who stock a wide range of whiskies and gins from local distilleries to distilleries from across the globe.
I can’t find any further info than that kindly included on the sample label. It’s 61.3% ABV, NCF, natural colour, cask 900161 and bottle 276 of 324.
Appearance: A lovely deep copper-gold, very wintery and sherried in colour (natural colour too!). Nice and oily, lots of lovely thick legs gently making their way back to the surface.
Nose: Lovely initial alcohol wave. Dark fruits, leather, BBQ smoke, cherries, fig, Christmas pudding and Victoria sponge cake.
This is my kind of nose!!
As the glass matures and mellows slightly, the cake elements shine through. Cookie dough, coffee grounds, dark chocolate and sweeter jammy notes too now!
Now I’m getting rhubarb and custard!
Palate: Wow, flavour explosion and a lovely buttery texture! The sherry butt has really done its work here!
Thick smoked raspberry jam, cinnamon and black pepper.
This is such a Christmas day chefs dram! So indulgent!
There’s an ever-so-slight drying (I get that with sherry cask), but the sweet jam-like flavours balance that out nicely. Custard vanilla and creamy notes flow over the tongue.
Finish: Black pepper sprinkled over raspberry jam on buttered toast. Slight menthol heat tingling on the tongue.
Overall: Superb. Exactly my kind of dram. CS with some spice and loads of jammy fruitiness! Fantastic pour!