Tobermory 2005 Fino Cask Finish

From Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, this distillery is undergoing a sort of rebranding. They have updated the labels and packaging and tweaked some of the age statements and finishes in their regular offerings. They are increasing the age statement and the subsequent cost, emphasizing 12-year-old whisky with various finishing casks. While I don't believe they've forgotten the standard 10-year, they are actively promoting the 12-year now. Cheers to that, except for the $15-20 per bottle price hike. This particular bottle was aged in Fino Sherry casks for an unknown duration, and I acquired it for $102 from a specialized shop in the UK. It presents an appealing, deep amber/copper hue and forms thin legs and small droplets due to its high 55.1% ABV. The aroma strongly brought to mind Kilchoman and Caol Ila, but without the earthy peat. It certainly has a maritime and salty character, yet the dry sherry contributes a pleasant, sweet scent to the blend. Fresh oak spirals, apples, raspberries, and a faint cough syrup note rise from the Glencairn, followed by a lasting burnt tea leaf aroma. It's somewhat jumbled and a bit unbalanced, but intricate. The palate is dominated by sherry cask influences. It's fruitier than one might expect from Tobermory, but the finishing period undeniably overshadows the sea spray and the terroir of the Scottish isles. This isn't necessarily a negative, but it was surprising. I find it hard to accept that the additional two years have softened the spirit itself, though perhaps they have, or those fino casks possessed extra potency. The mouthfeel still leans toward the drier side, leaving me somewhat parched midway through the sip. The fruitiness, however, continued, which was acceptable. The finish was lengthy and dry, warm and slightly rough, yet still thirst-quenching at the very end. A persistent saltiness remained even after a delayed addition of water. The ABV and saltiness truly contend intensely after the dram concludes, so be ready to desire a chaser of some kind. That was considerably less bothersome after some air exposure, but it still impacted the overall experience negatively. In summary, I appreciate the experimentation and the choice of finishing cask, though I feel it's a bit too potent, ABV-wise, and that disrupts the overall sipping experience. If you enjoy your whisky fruity, intense, and dry, you'll likely be pleased, haha. That's an unusual combination, in my view, but everyone has their preferences. As it stands, this is a 3.5 star dram/experience. Cheers. P.S. If you enjoy watching video whisky reviews on your phone/computer and want some comedic relief, check out the YouTube channel Dapper Drams. You might even see me acting silly occasionally if you look closely. Please Like, Subscribe, and spread the word. Thank you.

Nose: Dark chocolate and citrus. Light, with traces of juicy red grapes. Palate: Sour and dry. The initial taste is sharp due to the dryness from the Fino finish. The second taste is creamy and spicy. Finish: A medium-length finish. With Water: Adds more citrus to the nose. 6-8 drops reduce the sharpness.