Tomatin Dualchas

I enjoyed the Tomatin 12 year, so I decided to try this one. It's aged in virgin oak, similar to Deanston Virgin Oak, which I also find excellent. Poured neat, the aroma is intense with chocolate, marshmallow, and pastry dough, immediately bringing to mind a chocolate croissant. It then settles into notes of fresh apple, malt, dusty cardboard, and hints of wood. There's a lot happening for a $20 bottle of scotch. The mouthfeel is somewhat thin, and the youthfulness is apparent with a slight tingle, but the flavor is plentiful. Neapolitan ice cream, honey, and malt transform into apple, dry roast coffee, and pine wood. If these flavors had more depth, it would be outstanding. It's still very enjoyable. The finish has vanilla, coffee, and malt, fading into dry oak. Overall, I'm very pleased, especially at this price point. Tomatin appears to be a reliable brand with quality malts. It's a light, young scotch, but if you can overlook the lack of refinement, there's much to appreciate. (82/100)

Pale yellow color. It leaves a thick ring of foam inside the glass rim. The aroma is of lemongrass, rose petals, and herbs, like a perfume. Butterscotch, marshmallow, and coconut emerge, with an aroma similar to a piña colada. Notes of vanilla and citrus, like lemon drops. The taste includes coconut, marshmallow, and cooked apples. There's a noticeable burn, but it complements the sweetness of sugarplums, nutmeg, figs, dates, and other flavors likely from sherry barrel aging. The barrel's tannins emerge, adding a subtle floral perfume to the front of the palate. The finish is earthy, not peaty; more like ash, sand, potting soil, and light smoke. Following that are sherry, spicy fruitcake, dark cherry, and candied orange notes. This Scotch is richly perfumed, spicy, and sherry-forward, offering a complex experience that is rewarding with time.

Tomatin's Dualchas expression is an age-stated bottling that is likely the most affordable single malt scotch available, starting at $24 from Total Wine. The nose is incredible, with notes of apricots, golden raisins, and candied ginger and orange peel. However, the palate and finish are somewhat disappointing compared to the nose's promise. It offers some vanilla and honey sweetness followed by citrus notes, but quickly fades with hints of charred oak and black pepper. More substance would be desired, but it's hard to complain at only $24. While I might only repurchase this for use in cocktails, it has convinced me to explore their other offerings.

A quick note on this young malt, emphasizing its excellent value. Aged in both ex-bourbon and virgin oak barrels, it shows minimal char and more vanilla than typically found in an unaged NAS malt. The palate offers gentle sweetness, citrus notes (perhaps lemon?), vanilla, and yellow spongecake. The finish is true, mild, and has very little burn. This isn't the scotch for deep contemplation; it's for enjoying a delicious dram or two without a high cost or demanding full attention.

This is a good buy, especially considering the 43% ABV! I detect vanilla, milk chocolate, and cinnamon. The palate offers fruit and ginger with a pleasant texture. It can come across as slightly medicinal and with some artificial sweetness. The finish is of moderate length and pleasant, with more peppery sweetness, oak, and bitterness. Quite good for the price. I serve it from a decanter, and guests always assume it's a much pricier spirit.

The aroma features butterscotch, sarsaparilla, pears, and the scent of freshly printed paper. On the palate, you'll find sweet oak, lemon zest, fresh-cut grass, and cinnamon. The finish is slightly spicy but pleasant. This scotch offers excellent value. I highly recommend it for those seeking a light, young Speyside. I believe it surpasses Tomatin 12 and is comparable to Glenfiddich 12 for a significantly lower cost.