.tomatin - 1997-2014 - g&m - cc

The "Wood Makes the Whisky" campaign of Gordon & Macphail has reached our doorstep once more, this time, one of the selection proved to be a Tomatin from 1997, matured in a refilled ex-Bourbon cask, long after the distillery had been the largest in Scotland. Refill ex-Bourbon casks and maturing Tomatin spirit always have seemed to please my palate...

46% abv, €75
single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, vanilla, fruity, apples, unripe pears, mangos, red fruit, berries, gooseberries, a hint of floral notes, sweet roses

Palate: sweet, a hint of vanilla, berries, gooseberries, fruit, ripe bananas, citrus, orange peel, nuts, almonds, a touch floral, roses, green herbs, basil, spicy, white pepper

Finish: medium long, green herbs, basil. It diminishes at first, but comes back with fruitiness and a vanilla cream coating.
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: Very pleasing indeed. A dram to enjoy in the late hours of Summer or early Autumn, with the last embers on the barbecue still trying to show their orange glow in the grey charcoal and... Well, you get the idea. Besides that, pick your own moment. I find it very enjoyable.