Tomintoul Peaty Tang

This Speyside distillery is situated in the Livet glen. The expression is bottled at 40% ABV, likely chill filtered and colored. It's a non-age-statement bottling. The aroma is a pleasant, mild fruity peat, not overpowering, somewhere between HP and Lagavulin, with orchard fruits like apricots, oranges, and lemon. Heather honey, vanilla, and a touch of oak are also detected. A faint ashy/tar note is present, but fruit dominates. Plum and white grape juice follow. It's very delicate but agreeable. The taste is a gentle, lightly peated arrival with notes of peat smoke, some ash, grilled apricots, and pineapple with a hint of coconut. It's sweet, but the peat balances it. Again, very subtle but nice. The mouthfeel is quite light, a bit oily but mostly thin, and mouthwatering. The finish is medium in length, becoming slightly dry with smoked fruits. It's an extremely light whisky; without the peat, its flavor would be minimal beyond light fruits. It's like an Ardbeg 10 diluted to under 30% ABV. It could be a good way to introduce newcomers to peated whisky. While not flawed, it lacks standout qualities. This profile seems intentional for Tomintoul, but it's not to my preference. A higher proof and no chill filtering might improve it. At $60, it's overpriced; $40 would be more suitable for a NAS. Another distillery visited. Thanks to a friend for the sample. Score: 3.25.

Nose: Delicate, sweet, and fragrant smoke, almost perfumed and very subtle. Cereal and malt aromas are clearly discernible behind the peat, accompanied by fruit, vanilla, anise, and honey. It's elegant and understated, quite unlike an Islay nose. Palate: An ultra-smooth and exceptionally clean arrival, with mild fruity notes, cereal, and gentle, ashy smoke. It's remarkably mellow and well-rounded, smooth, and calming. It resembles resting on a pile of freshly gathered dry autumn leaves. The palate isn't complex and shows little development, but it's soothing and pleasant with a good texture. Finish: Moderate. Soft sweet smoke, naphtha, and a hint of brine in the aftertaste, which persists and becomes quite sweet. Tomintoul presents itself in a very unique style, which it carries off with flair. This is likely the most gentle, relaxed, and non-intimidating peated whisky available. It would be an ideal choice for introducing a friend who typically prefers mellow whiskies to something peated for the first time. There's nothing challenging about it, which is both its strength and its weakness. If you're seeking something akin to Ardbeg, Laphroaig, or Caol Ila, steer clear, as you'll likely find this thin, watery, and flavorless. Conversely, if you generally dislike heavily peated whisky and are looking for that profile in its most approachable form, this is your dram, and it's quite affordably priced. I found it pleasant, but the key question remains: would I purchase a bottle? The answer is likely no. While I enjoyed the sample, I can't envision myself reaching for it. When it comes to peated whisky, I don't always need my expectations completely shattered, but I do pour them with the anticipation of something assertive, which isn't this whisky's focus. However, I did finish the tasting sample without much thought and am savoring the aftertaste, so perhaps it's a different story. Tasted from a 30ml sampler. "Above Average": 80/100 (3 stars)

I finally had the chance yesterday morning to sit with this one and try it properly. I've been working nights recently due to a safety inspection at my job, and I don't usually wake up and get drunk, in case you were wondering, haha. A friend offered this bottle as a sample for our tour group. The distillery promotes itself as a gentle spirit. I believe this peated version is something they release occasionally to broaden their offerings. I understand the concept of a gentle spirit when it comes to sherry or former bourbon Speyside styles. However, a gently peated spirit seems out of place to me, just like this bottle. The aroma is quite heavily peated and smoked. If there were any subtle fruit notes intended, the peat smoke completely overshadowed them. It smells a little sweet, but not excessively so. The taste is also overwhelmed by the smoke; it's intense. There's also a metallic flavor that doesn't complement anything. I wouldn't call it harsh, just unusual. The finish is of medium length, slightly spicy with an excessive amount of smoke. My initial impression was that this was an average spirit with artificial smoke added for effect. I know it wasn't produced that way, but that's the impression I received. In conclusion, I wouldn't purchase another bottle and I really don't want to finish what I have. It's not unpleasant and doesn't warrant a drain pour, but I just don't have much desire to drink more of it. 2.25 stars.

As part of our Scottish distillery trade team, this was shared by a colleague. I was very excited about it. It reminded me of high school graduation day. You give the valedictorian speech, receive awards, and anticipate the post-ceremony celebrations with friends, eager for the night ahead. EXCEPT... you're only 17, your friends are all 18, and you don't have a fake ID. (You can get a scholarship to college, but not a fake ID). And thanks to Mom and Dad for making me skip a grade, now I'm stuck at a diner having coffee and pound cake while my friends are at the strip club. Yes, that's how this felt. I was looking forward to my first Tomintoul, especially with a name like Peaty Tang. But instead, it's like a watered-down Lagavulin or Ardbeg. Save your money and pour a dram of Ardbeg, then add three drams of water – that's your Peaty Tang. The lesson learned? Don't make your kids skip a grade.

I acquired several small 5cl bottles of Tomintoul, and naturally, I began my exploration with the peaty variety. This Speyside whisky is advertised as having a 'peaty tang'. Bottled at 40% ABV with a golden hue. The nose is rather intriguing: apples, vanilla custard, pungent peat, and pears. There's also a hint of mud, a cheap citrus note, and wet grass. It smells like fabric softener. It's fruity and peaty. After the initial taste, I detected notes of apple pie and mostly pears. It has an herbal, peaty, and fruity character. The palate is subdued and very light. Pear, apples, a touch of pepper, and a slight saltiness. It's a very delicate whisky. The aftertaste is among the shortest I've ever encountered. Slightly salty, very watery, with minimal spiciness. It barely leaves an impression. A pleasant peaty flavor emerges after the third sip, but it lasts only a second. In summary, this whisky is akin to drinking peaty pear juice; it lacks body, character, and is too light. I find the aroma appealing, but the rest is unremarkable. My rating is 69 out of 100.

The aroma has an earthy, malty foundation with hints of honey, lemon, and floral notes, along with a subtle peat presence that evokes damp leaves, and a touch of vanilla. The body is thin, diluted, and mellow, featuring honey and iodine with a slight phenolic character. The finish is medium-short, lingering at the front of the palate. The honey sweetness fades into black pepper, leaving an ashy, bitter aftertaste, similar to smoking a cheap cigar. Adding water reveals more floral and honey notes but reduces the peat, though the peat is more noticeable in the mouth. The finish becomes shorter and more balanced with water. It's better with a splash of water. This whisky seems undecided, like a young Speysider aspiring to be an Islay. It's not a bad dram and is priced very reasonably. Scores: 84/82/100. Reviewed again on 4/17/15, 5/23/15, and 11/22/17.