A single cask Tormore from The Single Cask. Filled in June 1995, this has been matured in a sherry hogshead (20095A) for 23 years before being bottled at 50.8% ABV. A bottle will set you back £140.95 from Master of Malt.
Nose: Sweet, syrupy and fruit-forward. Honey spread over toast alongside watermelon and fresh mango slices. Nougat, marshmallow and desiccated coconut add a chewy sweetness whilst oat cakes and toasted cereals provide a malt-focussed background. The addition of water reveals peaches served with cream, meringue and fairground candyfloss.
Taste: Again, fruit-forward with balled melon, tinned peaches and pineapple chunks served in a polished oak bowl. The development introduces caramel sweetness, whilst piquant spicing from black and finger chilli builds alongside musty leather, wet books and suede leather. Dilution offers more sherry influence with assorted dried berries and cacao nibs together with a dry, near powdery oakiness.
Finish: Medium with ground cinnamon and pepper joined by residue heat and a persisting honey syrupiness.
A well-aged Tormore which highlights the spirit’s natural fruitiness as well as its inclination towards richer weightiness after longer maturation periods. The sherry influence is exceedingly light touch here, offering cask spice over overt sherry tones for the most part. However here that’s no bad thing – the spirit has been granted plenty of room to manoeuvre and the result is well-composed and enjoyable throughout.