Tomatin 30YO (2018)

Tomatin launched in September 2018 a new 30-year old single malt in its range. The new whisky will replace the 1988 Vintage.

The single malt was finished in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and was bottled at 46% ABV.

The first batch of around 3.000 bottles will market for around £300 or a price close to €337.

Graham Nicolson, Tomatin’s Sales Director, said, “This luxurious expression is elegant and flavourful – a neatly packed whisky with taste sensations to delight the senses. From the spices that add an incredible depth to the creamy buttered vanilla that brings an unbelievable layer of richness – the 30 Year Old is definitely one for every whisky drinker’s gantry."

Identity Card Tomatin 30YO

• Official bottling from Tomatin Distillery, Inverness (Highlands)
• 30-year-old single malt Scotch whisky
• Finished in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels
• Alcohol: 46% ABV
• Price: £300

Picture: Wikipedia (Public Domain)

Tasting notes

Colour: A pale golden natural colour. The whisky has a sticky oily texture.

Nose: Lots of tropical fruits and spices jump out of the glass. Allspice is the first thing that enters my mind. Next, some canned fruits. Think pineapple, peach and mango. A bit of spicy and dry notes from vanilla and pencil shavings. A heap of pilsner malt and crispy rye bread. Coconut and dried banana. Coconut water.
With water: No remarkable evolution. A touch of cinnamon.

Taste: Creamy mouthfeel with a peppery twist. Pineapple and peach. Szechuan peppercorns. A slightly metallic touch. Kiwi and a sour note from gooseberry. Lemon curd. For some reason, I'm thinking of bock beers. This is a perfect autumn dram.
With water: Lemon rind ready to become limoncello. A tad drier mouthfeel. Nuts and vanilla pods. Malt and speculoos - a brown spiced biscuit - versus the two C's: cinnamon and clove. And again that Jamaican pepper or allspice note.

Finish: Vanilla custard. A creamy finale with an oaky touch. Autumn in a glass. Cinnamon and allspice prepare your palate for the next sip.

This is a remarkable dram. The wood did not overpower the whisky. On the contrary, the maltiness is still very present. This is partly due to the maturation I believe. My guess is that the spirit from these refill casks was in need of some first-fill bourbon wood. On the other hand, it shows the beauty of the naked Tomatin spirit polished off with those typical American bourbon notes.

Image & sample: Tomatin