Single cask Tobermory bottled by The Single Cask. Laid down in July of 1995, this refill sherry cask (1201) was matured until December 2018 when it was released at 54.2% ABV. You can pick up a bottle from Master of Malt for £147.95.
Nose: An interesting composition of vegetalness – dried reed and flax, herbalness – lemonbalm and mint leaf, and sweetness – crumbled chocolate and icing sugar. Running throughout – freshly pressed laundry, crackerbread, and sliced ginger cake. After a period, offers suggestions of texture with pan fats and churned butter alongside pangs of salinity. Reduction introduces butterscotch and whipped cream alongside peach melba.
Taste: Weighty on the arrival with lamp oil, greases and lubricants. Galia melon, kiwi and pear juice sit with polished oak whilst brass piping and moist earthiness are joined by lemon cough drops. A sprinkle of sea salt and white pepper is joined by spearmint and buttered bread. Water reveals a softer, fruit and spice focus with ginger pastries and cinnamon spiced apple compote.
Finish: Medium, offering burnt toffee, charred cask heads and fruit loaf.
Despite always favouring Tobermory’s peated output over its unpeated – this single cask proves to be a notable exception. It offers both a harmonious ride and some interesting vegetal/herbal asides throughout its well-balanced journey. The low-key refill (nth fill?) sherry influence works a treat, adding spiced nuance, but allowing the natural texture of the spirit (which results from the distillery’s fat, bulbous S-bend stills) to shine through. A very convincing cask selection.