Tobermory 17 Oloroso Cask Matured - 55.9%

 

Distillery notes 

Like all our single malt whiskies, this release is non-chill filtered and natural colour. Fully matured in Oloroso sherry casks, this edition is limited to 11,124 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Yellow Gold

Nose: Packed full of toffee and caramel, followed by almonds, blackcurrant and a hint of spice.

Palate: Rose petals, tropical fruit, walnuts, cherry and creamy toffee balanced with oak, tannins and hints of leather.

Finish: Unusually dry and nutty finish with a ginger spice.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Yellow gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs.

Nose: Caramel toffee, toasted almonds, raisins and sultanas, red fruits.

Palate: Oily mouthfeel, caramel toffee, tropical fruit, a hint of old leather, nutty oak and a hint of struck match.

Finish: Long and lingering, a touch of sulphur together with leather and warming ginger. Tannic oak brings a nuttiness and noticeable dryness to the finish.

Summary: This isn’t a typical offering from the distillery, in particular the struck match note which I tend to associate more with their Ledaig bottlings than the Tobermory expressions. It's different and complex, making it a very interesting whisky to explore. Well balanced, fruity and full of caramel toffee but with hints of leather providing a more savoury note. An uncharacteristic dryness further adds to the experience.

Bottled at a hefty 55.9%, with a price around £120 which isn't too bad for a limited edition 17 year old whisky these days.

Transparency: This sample was part of a 5 dram sample set, purchased from The Spirits Embassy and used for a tasting session with Luke Fenton from Distell, and Ian Logan from Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited. No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.