Tobermory 12 Year

Nose: Caramel, breakfast cereal, freshly cut timber, vanilla, green apples, hints of the sea, some honey, and stony mineral notes. It presents a young, grain-forward character heavily influenced by young, though good, casks. It feels restrained when undiluted, but water opens it up, revealing barley sugar, more honey, and light floral notes while dampening the minerality. The aroma recovers wonderfully with dilution, becoming more viscous. Palate: A spicy start with intense ginger, cinnamon, and chili. The progression is delicate and sharp, featuring bright, grainy cereal, a hint of coconut, and tart citrus flavors. There's a touch of salt, and the texture is thin and watery, resembling diluted seawater but also strangely waxy. Adding water significantly enhances the palate. The heat is moderated, the cereal shifts to sweet malt, and the tart citrus becomes semi-sweet orange. The mouthfeel improves greatly, losing its thinness and gaining a creamy richness. Finish: Brief. Drying, mineral, metallic (like copper), and slightly tart in the aftertaste. However, water once again proves transformative, nearly eliminating the harsh notes by balancing them with sweetness and extending the finish. A trace of the characteristic milk chocolate from this distillery is even noticeable in the lingering taste. This shares some similarities with the previous 10 year expression, but where that one excelled with its delicate, slightly coastal character, this is rougher, less appealing, and only reveals its potential when diluted. As a straight drink, the aroma is pleasant and the best part, but the palate has some peculiar traits. Nevertheless, water turns this spirit from a rough diamond into a polished gem. If you've only tried it neat and dismissed it, I encourage you to revisit it with a generous splash of water. You'll be surprised by the improvement. I was considering a score of 75 until I added water, which elevated it to 82. Tasted from a 30ml sample from a 2019 bottling. “Above Average”: 82/100 (3.25 stars)

A strong yet gentle aroma presents itself first, reminiscent of a potent collection of honeysuckle and apple blossoms, accompanied by an alcoholic punch. Notes of unhulled barley, meadow honey, and a subtle minerality emerge, akin to chalk but less dry, more like a vanilla custard powder. A whisper of bourbon barrel spices and a touch of lemony citrus are also present. On the palate, it's spicy, sharp, and syrupy sweet, amplifying the nose's profile. The intense caramel sweetness quickly gives way to smooth vanilla, as spice develops throughout the middle, building towards cayenne pepper. The citrus also grows stronger, transforming into a Valencia orange character. The body doesn't possess the expected fullness but is certainly not watery; it's not velvety but has a slight creaminess. The legs are average, appearing disorganized but forming attractive, heavy teardrops that create pretty skirts briefly before vanishing. The medium-length finish is dry, mineral, clean copper, oaky, with hints of bitter almond skins, and a touch of saltiness. Lingering traces of spice and citrus remain until the very end. Adding water mellows all elements except the citrus's sharpness, enhancing the body's creaminess. Aroma: 9 Taste: 9 Body: 8 Finish: 8.5

This is the unpeated counterpart to Ledaig from the Isle of Mull. I had been eyeing this for a while after really enjoying Ledaig 10, but for some reason, this one is considerably more expensive. I finally broke down and bought it for $75, so here we go. The aroma is rich and creamy with custard, buttermilk, thick malt, and seasoned barrel. There are some flinty apple skins and a farmyard hay note. The palate is liquid gold. Heavy sweet barley malt with clarified butter, pink Himalayan salts, fields of heather, and Caledonian timber. Just a hint of fruit and smoke. The finish is a long, fading salty and malty experience. The buttery weathered oak goes right to the edge of tannic but stops just short. This is a wonderful scotch with a specific profile (Malt Bomb) that you must appreciate to fully enjoy. It possesses a purity and cleanness that screams quality. It reminds me of Cragganmore 12 in that regard. I find the sweetness of the malt in near-perfect balance with the salty island character and barrel woods. Absolutely delicious in my opinion.....94/100..... It is definitely overpriced for a 12-year-old, and I will definitely repurchase.

A tasting event at Dan Murphys featuring international whiskies. This was another blind tasting... Nose: Delightfully light, with delicate honey, vibrant green grass, peaches, a tangy yogurt note, rich fudge undertones, and a hint of metallic-mineral character. Despite its light and bright aroma, it possesses remarkable, unfolding complexity. Palate: Exquisite malt that becomes oily, accompanied by gentle sweetness reminiscent of stone fruits. It has the character of barley sugar and plump, satisfying sultanas. Fainter notes of spice and citrus are present, along with a delicate touch of salt. Fresh wood integrates everything without being overpowering or dominant. Finish: Medium in length. Flavors of orange, dates, and toffee. A slight maritime salinity with a whisper of drying oak. I believe I'll need to acquire a bottle for further exploration. It's genuinely intriguing, exceptionally crafted, and offers substantial character to discover, yet it's also perfectly easy to enjoy. I also feel the need to revisit Ledaig 10. Whisky assessment #178 Ledaig 10: 3.75/5 Tobermory 12: 4/5

Winter 2023 - Budapest Appearance: Clear golden hue Nose: Fruity, with honey aromas. The initial taste is crisp like sparkling water running down the lower lip of a beautiful Hungarian woman. Then the spices hit the palate: a flavorful explosion (not spicy hot) on the second taste awakens the taste buds before being calmed by the honey's sweetness in the aftertaste. Like a Hussar charge abruptly stopped by a delicate feminine caress. A crystalline whisky for women that blends spices with a honey aftertaste. Tasted with a friend from Istanbul and his cheerful group of Hungarian companions. A delight for the taste buds and the heart!

I sampled this single malt scotch neat at 46.3% ABV in the evening. It is non-chill filtered with natural color. I detect citrus zest on the nose. There's a subtle floral scent that truly explodes on the palate. It's not a delicate heather field – it's more like burying your face in a bouquet of diverse flowering plants. There's no smoke, but a bit of an alcoholic kick which is refreshing. Orange zest appears after a while, following a bit of added water. The finish is medium-length with a floral vanilla sweetness. This is a vibrant spirit that I would pair with seeking an adventure companion.