Monday, January 12, 2009

Malt Mission 2009 #329

Tomatin 30yo 1976 Tomatin 30yo 1976
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
49.3% abv

£167

There were many beautiful things made in 1976. Beautiful, handsome, smart, charming... and modest things. And while there is only one of me, there are 1500 bottles of this recent release from Tomatin.

Probably safe to say Tomatin is not the most beautiful distillery in Scotland, but inside its industrial complex over 30,000 visitors tread each year.

Most of Tomatin's production goes into blends, many in the far east leaving only about 2% for single malt releases. But the range has expanded since the 12yo was launched in 2004 with a 18 and 25yo, and now a 30yo and 40yo join the growing single malt line.


TASTING NOTES:

Vegetal with notes of juniper, cabbage, and cooked carrots start us off. A sherry-influenced sweetness follows with beer nuts, cashews, and fruit preserves. Pops and squeaks of lime, chocolate wafers, and nutmeg. Big oak, too, adding a solid spine to it all.


Immeasurable honey, toffee, and a sturdy green stalk bitterness that holds it together. Sweet buttered corn. Autumnal with leaves and oak. Ginger and lime. Exciting.

SUMMARY:


Alive and well after 30 years (like some of our best friends), this dram speaks volumes and has something new to show on each sip. Vivid. Engaging. Powerful. And the sherry finish does nothing to mute the notable distillery character. A brave success.

Malt Mission #326
Malt Mission #327
Malt Mission #328
Malt Mission #330

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wholeheartedly agree with you on the "made in 1976" thing - hubby and I are vintage 1976 too :)

The whisky sounds good - I'm enjoying your reviews!

Matthew said...

I sheepishly admit I have never heard of this distillery, but your tasting notes have definitely caught my attention!

I'm putting on the "keep your eyes open" list.