Whisky Review/Tasting: Tomatin 18 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The Tomatin 18 Year Old is a Scotch whisky, indicating its Scottish origin.
Type: It is a single malt whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: This whisky is finished in Oloroso sherry casks, which suggests a part of its maturation process involves aging in these specific types of barrels to impart additional flavors. The whisky is non-chill filtered, a process highlighted by the host as not affecting the quality but often marketed as such.
Age Statement: As the name suggests, this whisky is 18 years old.
ABV: The alcohol by volume is 46%, a detail that often indicates the absence of chill filtration.
Color and Clarity: While not explicitly described, the finishing in Oloroso sherry casks likely imparts a rich, golden hue typical of sherry-finished whiskies.
Bottle Design: The specific design of the bottle isn't described, but it's noted that the bottle used in the tasting was from a distributor's tasting event.

Balance of Flavors: The Tomatin 18 Year Old is described as well-balanced, with a harmonious transition from sweet to dry flavors.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its non-chill filtered status and finishing in Oloroso sherry casks, which contribute to its complex flavor profile.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, the mention of its affordability among 18-year-old whiskies suggests it stands out in its age category for value.
Flavor Notes: The whisky exhibits a rich array of flavors including orchard fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup, citrus, dark chocolate, and a hint of smoky heather. The palate is further enriched with dark fruit, berries, and a distinctive note of cinnamon baked apple. The finish is long, sweet, and slightly dry, with a progression from sweet to dry noted as a "wonderful conflict."

Anecdotes: The host shares a personal preference for gummy bears, humorously linking this to the whisky's gummy bear fruit flavors.
Trivia: The discussion includes an experiment conducted by the host on chill filtration, revealing that in a blind tasting, no significant quality difference was noted between chill filtered and non-chill filtered whiskies.

Historical Context: The Tomatin distillery's success and subsequent scarcity of first-fill casks are mentioned, highlighting the industry-wide shift towards finished whiskies to enhance flavor profiles.

Opinions: The host, Horst Luening, expresses a strong preference for the Tomatin 18 Year Old, praising its balance and complexity.
Quotes: "Really balanced from the aromas to the finish. Really wonderful." - This quote encapsulates the host's favorable view of the whisky.

Tomatin 18 Year Old is a non-chill filtered, single malt Scotch whisky finished in Oloroso sherry casks.
It boasts a complex flavor profile with a balance of sweet and dry notes, including orchard fruit, cinnamon, and dark chocolate.
The whisky is highlighted for its value among 18-year-old whiskies and its well-balanced nature.
Cultural insights include the impact of the distillery's success on cask availability and the industry trend towards finishing whiskies.
The host's experiment on chill filtration challenges common marketing claims, suggesting no quality difference.
The recommendation is a strong endorsement to purchase if found at a good price.

Whisky Enthusiasts: Those with a deep appreciation for complex, well-aged single malts will likely enjoy the Tomatin 18 Year Old, especially if they have an interest in the effects of sherry cask finishing.
Value Seekers: Individuals looking for high-quality, aged whiskies at a reasonable price will find the Tomatin 18 Year Old appealing.
Beginners: While the complexity might be overwhelming for some newcomers, those looking to explore aged whiskies and understand the nuances of non-chill filtration and cask finishing might find it educational and enjoyable.
Collectors: Given its balance, unique flavor profile, and the distillery's story, this whisky could be a worthy addition to a collector's shelf, especially if the trend towards scarcity of aged expressions continues.