Tomintoul 16yr old, 40% ABV.

Tomintoul Distillery was built in 1964. Our distillery uses traditional techniques that stretch back hundreds of years, to make our award-winning single malt, “the gentle dram”. The natural environment, fresh air and pure water all add to our uniquely smooth and mellow spirit.

Tomintoul whisky

Appearance

The 16yr old is mid gold in colour, nice and syrupy thick swirl line and syrupy slow thick legs.

Nose

There’s more depth of aromas here compared to the 10yr old. Straight away i’m into meaty notes, with cocktail cherries. A hint of juniper, brings the foresty feel, and a dustiness that conjures up images of old oak panelled rooms with well worn leather armchairs.

Cereals and red berries arrive as a lovely combo, with strawberries and cranberries, stoned fruits are also easily picked out. With more time we’re into wood varnish and linseed oil, reminds me of when i installed a drying kiln in a cricket bat manufacturing factory many years ago, this is a very chunky nose.

Palate

The first thing i notice is that there’s a good mouthfeel here, at 40% abv it certainly isn’t thin. Then initially flavour wise were off into tropical fruit sweetness, pineapple, mango and guava, with a little bitter lemon thrown in. There are red berries here as the nose suggested, but they take a back seat, and at this point icing sugar sweetness briefly comes through. Then it’s all change.

From that sweet fruit basket the palate develops into spiciness. Gingerbread spices with cinnamon, cardamom and black pepper warm you up nicely, and a late flourish offers mocha, chocolate and tobacco leaves.

Finish

Long side of medium in length for me, there’s still some lingering sweetness but there are definitely more of the spicier notes. The spices aren’t hot either, they’re very accessible, warming and very inviting, it’s a great to finish this dram.

My thoughts

I have to say that this is a very enjoyable dram. It may be bottled at 40% ABV, it may be chill filtered, and have some colourant added, but it has a good mouthfeel, it coats the mouth wonderfully, and is flavoursome, i have to say what i think, and i really like this bottling.

Would i buy a bottle?

The whiskies in this are at least 16 years old, and it’s under £40, some have it for under £30, it’s a steal to be honest, personally i think it’s a no brainer, i’d definitely buy one.

Notes – This whisky has been chill filtered and does have colouring added.

Thanks to – @TomintoulWhisky and @scotch_voyager.