Tomatin 11 Year (2003 Single Cask)

I've been a significant admirer of Tomatin since trying their 14-year-old, port-finished, and French Oak expressions, with the Cu Bocan varieties solidifying my preference. They produce some of the best value single malts available. Ironically, older bottles I've sampled haven't impressed as much as the younger ones (while also increasing in price). My suggestion: stick to the 10-14 year olds with diverse finishing treatments and the Cu Bocan. I have a 25-year-old bottle, but I'm not particularly eager to open it. This 11-year-old comes from a single cask selected for Lukas Wine & Spirits in Missouri. I added this bottle to a small order of Compass Box whiskies for a mere $34. It's clearly cask strength at 56.6% ABV and continues the positive impression I get from other young, inexpensive Tomatins. I suspect they sample various casks 4-6 months before bottling the standard 12-year-old and then offer some superior ones for single cask, store-pick releases, marketing them by vintage year and as 11-year-old spirit. This one was matured in ex-bourbon casks and has a champagne gold hue in the glass. Cask strength often means minimal or no legs and only small droplets forming near the rim when swirled. It has a nice, oily appearance. The nose is characteristic of Tomatin: gently sweet vanilla, oak, and peppery spices, with a pleasant kick from the ABV. It can sting if you inhale too deeply, but it maintains a sweet character if you approach it more gently. Extended breathing doesn't bring significant changes. The palate is also warm to hot, depending on how it coats the tongue. The oak is the dominant element, and I believe this would appeal greatly to bourbon enthusiasts. It resembles some higher-quality bourbons I've had, which subsequently cost considerably more (I'm thinking of Woodford and Jefferson's). It's less sweet than most "wheaters" but not as corn-forward as most bourbons; it falls somewhere in between. The finish is short to medium and dry, with oak tannins lingering a bit too long, which is somewhat expected. Overall, I can't rate this as an exceptional whisky due to its lack of complexity, but it provides a consistent, pleasing punch of flavor and strength. I just checked the Lukas store website, and they've reduced the price to try and sell more bottles. It's now $30. At that price, I recommend purchasing it – even buying two. That's a fantastic value for an 11-year-old, cask-strength anything! A score of 3.5 stars, bumped to 3.75 for its value. PS- As a whisky advocate, I feel compelled to encourage those of you in the United States to urge your congressional representatives to address the issue of interstate shipping for beer, wine, and spirits. These outdated regulations that restrict and limit our purchasing power need to be eliminated. While the current US President may be eccentric, he does favor supporting American businesses, and facilitating easier access to their products for consumers nationwide would be a great way to do so. Perhaps our voices will be heard if we speak up. I'll step off my soapbox now, haha. I could use a drink.