Tomintoul 16 Years Review

“Sweaty Socks and Cooked Potatoes”

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside 

Brand: Tomintoul 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 16 Years

ABV: 40 %

Colour: Golden Amber with a hint of Orange. (Artificially coloured)

Nose: Sweet and slightly Sour at the same time. On the Sweet side I find some Barley, Vanilla, Toffee, Bourbon and Milk Chocolate. But I also get Sour Green Apples, Cider, Apple-Vinegar, Cooked Potatoes and even Sweaty Socks. All this is accompanied by Nuts, Dried Fruits, light Heather Honey, Grass, Straw, Citrus Peel, Oak, Toast, Butter Biscuits, Herbs, Cinnamon, light Mint and Aniseed. The Alcohol stings a bit and that's slightly unusual at this age. I wouldn't give this Tomintoul 16 Years if I was to taste it blind. It's quite Nervous and a bit rough. Unfinished if you like. While Nosing it the second time, I noticed a light Metallic note that I didn't pick up during the first session.

Palate: Bitter-Sweet and slightly Sour with Barley, Buttered Toast, Sugared Cereals, Vanilla, Toffee, Brown Sugar, light Heather Honey, Tea, Apple-Vinegar, Mandarin, Bitter Orange, Grapefruit, Pepper, Aniseed, Menthol and Oak. The Alcohol is always just around the corner. The Delivery is a bit Thin as could be expected.  

Finish: Middle-Long, Bitter-Sweet and with a light Alcohol bite at the end. I find Sweet Barley, Nuts, Toffee, Marzipan, Candy, Vanilla, Bitter Oranges, Unripe Nectarines, Refill Oak, Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Menthol and Aniseed. Dry towards the end. After a few minutes I get Espresso with Artificial Sweetener and this Flavour stays around for quite a while.

I added a bit of water and on the Nose I find more Malt and a Flowery Perfume. But Palate and Finish do not benefit from the added Water. 

Rating: 81

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: 

This distillery started its operations in 1964 and only released its first Single Malt in 1973. Its nickname is The Gentle Dram. The distillery is located close to the river Avon, some 13 kilometres outside the village of Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands. Since 2000 the distillery is owned by Angus Dundee Distillers PLC, London. Most of the production is destined for Blends like Dundee and Parker's. Principal Malts are the 10, 14, 16, 33, 12 Oloroso and the Peaty Tang. 

The 16 Years was added to the core Distillery range in 2003. It matures in a mix of Ex-Bourbon casks. It's one of the least expensive 16 years around at a price of around 50 US Dollars. (November 2015). The 16 Years is Chill-Filtered. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good 

Conclusion: The Tomintoul 16 Years is a bit of a strange animal. On the one hand the ever present Alcohol gives the impression that this Single Malt is much younger but on the other hand the Wood and Wood Spice are quite noticeable. On the Nose I find some strange notes like Cooked Vegetables, Sweaty Socks and Metal. Not really what I want to find in a 16 Years Old Single Malt. The Palate and Finish are quite Bitter and Sour and I'm not too fond of that either. Needless to say that an ABV of 40% is not adequate for a 16 Year old Single Malt. It makes this Tomintoul relatively cheap of course but I prefer to pay a little more for the extra Kick, Aromas and Flavours. As can be seen on the picture below, Tomintoul is not one of the most attractive distilleries from a visual point of view. And I must admit that, after having tasted 4 expressions, I'm not really impressed by their Single Malts as well so far. Next on my list is the 33 Years. I really hope that one will surprise me in a positive way!

Jan van den Ende                                                           November 19, 2015

Certainly not the most attractive distillery in Scotland!