Tobermory 2007 12 Year Port Pipe Finish

As I've often said, spirits from the isles are rarely bad. The team at Tobermory on Mull consistently produces quality drams, making me eager for this 2007 limited edition finished in Port pipes. The nose is potent, rich, and complex, with oily malt, a hint of industrial steel and hydrocarbons, balanced by port, orange, chocolate, and possibly leather and espresso. Unexpected notes like Turkish delight and spiced incense are present but well-integrated. The palate is a surprise, starting creamy and malty before a storm of ginger, oak, and espresso bitterness. Subsequent sips reveal juicy, bright, and slightly tart fruits like citrus, strawberry, and dark berries. The finish is long and delicate, with peppery spice complementing creamy chocolate-berry notes and a subtle saltiness. It evokes spice markets and bazaars, blending industrial weight, summery brightness, and vibrant spice. This is a beautiful, fascinating, and enjoyable spirit, so much so that I overlooked its high alcohol content and skipped adding water. This is the 284th distiller spirit tasted. Pictured with a piece of Tiree Marble, a pink dolomite with green diopside pyroxenes formed billions of years ago, a fitting companion to this malt. Tobermory Running Scores: Tobermory 12: 4/5, Tobermory 12 2007 Port Pipe: 4.5/5, Ledaig 10: 3.75/5, Ledaig 12 2008 G&M Hermitage Cask: 3.75/5, Ledaig 18: 4.5/5.

Aroma: Engine oil, sulfur (pleasantly so), oily malt, and herbal tea initially, accompanied by a distinct alcohol "nip" and a briny, maritime scent. The port influence is very subtle, almost shy, initially appearing as grape juice or rose-hip tea in the background. Over time, the fortified wine influence grows but never overshadows the aroma. Adding water tends to blend the aroma initially; while still very pleasant, it regains character with time but loses a bit of its distinctiveness. Taste: The initial arrival is sweet for a moment before becoming astringent and oaky with ginger, sweet dark berries, and strong malty flavors. The development reveals dried citrus peel, salted preserved lemons, and sweet grapefruit, which gradually give way to a return of the red berries, now sweet yet tart, like unripe blackberries. The texture is oily and rich. Water does not negatively impact the taste, adding creaminess and a cohesive richness. Finish: Long. Spicy, dark chocolate, salt, and finally sweet red berries and milk chocolate in the delicious, mouth-watering aftertaste. Another excellent Tobermory with a characteristically robust, old-school profile that has been refined to a high degree. They consistently achieve this, rapidly becoming a personal favorite distillery. Not long ago, Tobermory was almost a disappointment, but their recent releases over the past decade have been of exceptional quality. The distillery has revitalized itself, and we are the beneficiaries. This is a very fine malt, deserving of careful and extended tasting. It's now nearly impossible to find, and I missed out on a bottle, but thankfully acquired a sample from a local online whisky vendor. If you happen upon a dusty bottle of this anywhere, don't hesitate to purchase it. Tasted from a 30ml sample. “Very Good”: 86/100 (4 stars)

A- amber color, thick texture. N- With water: Sugary notes (honey, vanilla, caramel, maple syrup, scorched sugar, milk chocolate) with fruit (raisins, plums, cooked apples), malted grain, and walnuts. P- With water: A delightful sweet and spicy start, substantial, slick, and coating. The sweetness (honey, vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, maple syrup) is reminiscent of a smoothie with these components. Fruit notes (plums, apricots, cooked apples, raisins) emerge later, alongside walnuts and damp wood. F- A lengthy, enjoyable finish with a lingering sweet, fruity, and nutty aftertaste. C- Incredible! This is a superb drink. The sweetness from the port pipe finish is excellent and harmonized beautifully. It's so enjoyable that I frequently revisit it. I recall tasting a single cask Glenallachie 13 YO port pipe (a friend's bottle) after this, and its sweetness felt somewhat overpowering compared to this one, which I find perfectly balanced. I'll share my thoughts on the Glenallachie shortly.

The finishing cask successfully enhances the base spirit without obscuring its character, a feat exceptionally well accomplished with this Tobermory. The nose features blackberries, red currants, and grapefruit alongside the whisky's coastal essence, with notes of black pepper, sea spray, and green onions. The palate is sweet and sour, gingery, and slightly herbal, displaying complexity and excellent balance. The long, chocolatey finish brings back sweetness, hints of brine, and some dry oak. The port influence is spot-on; this malt is captivating and highly recommended! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars, equivalent to 88 points - FIRST-CLASS.