Tobermory 12 Year Old

I recently had the pleasure of savouring the Tobermory 12 year old expression (in fact it was a Christmas present to myself!). It is an enchanting Island single malt, from the Isle of Mull, that captivated my senses with its intricate layers and distinctive character.

Bottle

I can’t help but appreciate the familiar charm of Tobermory’s bottle design, similar to its peated counterpart, the Ledaig Rioja finish which I recently reviewed. Both expressions share the same distinctive bottle style - short, sturdy, and rugged, portraying a sense of robustness that echoes the character of the whiskies within. These bottles, adorned with a modest label, allow the golden elixir to take centre stage, while the founding year of the distillery is proudly embossed above the label adding a call out to its heritage. What strikes me is the vivid green hue of the foil, a refreshing departure from the often-muted colour palette in the realm of whisky branding. I love this bottle and styling.

Colour

A lovely, light or amber gold colour. This whisky is naturally coloured and non-chill filtered. Having spent t’s time maturing in ex-bourbon casks the colour is light and delicate.

Nose - The aroma from the whisky is a pleasant combination. There is a little scent of orchard fruit, apple and a hint of pear. But the main take away is citrus, especially sweet orange, and heather flowers.

Palate - The citrus flavours come through in the tasting too. but there is now the sweeter caramel and vanilla mingled in with it. The feel is slightly oily and there is a slight saltiness to the taste too which is surprisingly pleasant. There is also an unmistakable hint of spices, most notably cinnamon and cloves.

Finish - A medium finish with the citrus notes slowly fading and the spiciness leaving a tingle as you ready yourself for the next sip.

Overall

This distillery has had a difficult history since 1798, with production stopping and starting throughout, yet the whisky they produce today is excellent. The presentation and design of the Tobermory 12 is first class so this is a dram I have no hesitation in recommending, especially as an alternative to the rich Speyside single malts for which Scotland is so famous. It isn’t cheap but for something a little different, it’s great.