Over to Speyside for an uncommon Tormore that has spent 10 months maturing in an ex-Islay (peated) cask following an initial 10 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead. Delivered at 57.1% ABV and available from The Whisky Exchange for £63.95.
Nose: Cream cheese and smoked Chantilly sit with green apples, gooseberries and white grapes. A touch of background ashiness sits with faintly distant treated bandaged and more prominent planed oak. Dilution offers reed and flax together with expressive florals from tree blossoms.
Taste: A similar profile to the nose, but with a more voluminous delivery. Pan fats and sunflower oil lead into green orchard fruits, whilst ashy smoke morphs towards cold cream and wispy antiseptic. In the background, cask char and dried grasses. Water offers a far more fruit-forward palate with tart and sharp green and white fruits together with scorched oak and smoked whipped cream.
Finish: Medium to long in length. Sweet white wine offset against residue ashiness.
A well-judged additional maturation marks this Tormore out as worthy of looking at. The spirit, original ex-bourbon cask and re-racked Islay cask all have their parts to play and likewise sing in harmony, resulting in whisky that offers a solid balance throughout. This could well be a whisky to consider as the ‘next step’ for normally peat-adverse friends, following initial lower strength introductions to lightly peated fare. Straight-forward and effective.
Review sample provided by Watt Whisky