The 1960s are often heralded as a turning point in modern popular culture with many exponents still standing the test of time, which can also be said of the whisky distilleries built around then. Whilst not exactly a boom period for whisky, there were 8 scotch whisky distilleries built in that decade of which 7 are still operational today (if my squiffy research is correct…)
One of those lasting players is Tomintoul distillery, built near the River Avon and down the road from Tomintoul itself – reportedly the highest village of the Highlands.
The distillery markets itself as “the gentle dram” and as a Speyside whisky, meaning it’s got two distinct profiles to meet: soft and fruity.
The distillery currently offers a wide range of age statement releases and cask finished expressions, including some more obscure ones like white port, pinot noir, and Tempranillo, but here we are looking at their mainstay release: the 10 year old.
This whisky has spent its whole decade in ex-bourbon barrels to be bottled at 40% ABV. As with most of Tomintoul’s releases, the whisky is both chill-filtered and coloured (e150 caramel) for consistency across its batches and releases. 70cl bottles of the 10yo are currently a pipe around £42-45 GBP.
Nose
A floral and grassy start – slightly sweet too like sniffing some honeysuckle flowers. There are classic malt notes with apple, vanilla, and toffee.
Taste
Quite the soft and creamy arrival with vanilla and gentle oak being the first flavours. There’s a decent biscuit and cereal note (malted milk and porridge oats after several sips), but it’s more about the creamy vanilla, and a tiny flash of pepper.
Finish
Sweet malt, a touch of oak, and maybe a little citrusy bitterness.
Verdict
Gentle indeed. Gentle, but not without flavour. There are enough of your classic single malt flavours to pick out as they all sit alongside one another. Maybe it gets its name from there being so little oak spice that you’d normally get after a decade in a barrel.
This has more of the ‘start of an evening’ vibe to it, or maybe even a palate cleanser with that slight citrus bitterness.
The 40% ABV sits alongside its aim of being gentle. I read a lot of material from whisky snobs who can’t possibly taste anything at less than 46% ABV and this might therefore not be for them (especially adding chill filtration and e150 colouring into the mix) but I think it has its place. It’s certainly got a summery feel to it.
The packaging does now look quite old fashioned to me. But maybe that’s what entices some customers. Particularly those after the “gentle dram” it kinda has that ‘it’s always been there’ feel to it. Certainly with the reference to the “Speyside Glenlivet” on the box – a reference back to the area’s association with the Glenlivet being produced there, rather being an actual link to the Glenlivet distillery itself. In my mind its taste and name have always melded with Tomatin – but that’s mainly because I tried them both for the first time at the same time!
As “the gentle dram” this whisky sets its cards out on the table, so can’t disappoint if you’re after big flavours. If you are, then move along. If you’re after classic malt in a classic, approachable, and almost familiar way, then this is a light sipper for you.
M
Dram disclosure: This sample was received as part of the Master of Malt Pour & Sip paid subscription service. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
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