Tobermory 1995 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Island - Mull

Brand: Tobermory 1995 (Edition Spirits)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 16 Years

ABV: 54,1 %

Date: 20/09/2013

Colour: Pale Straw/White Wine

Nose: At first I only get Vegetables. Think of Cabbage here. Later on I find some Malt, Earth, Burnt Toast and Butter, Oak, Vanilla, Oat Meal, Pepper, Salt,  Mint and a hint of Citrus Fruit. We are not amused as the English Queen would say!

Palate: Sweeter than I expected after the Nose. Fruity, Oily and Spicy as well with Mandarin, Banana, Pineapple, Sugar, Vanilla, slightly Bitter Oak, Mustard and Pepper.

Finish: Middle-Long, Fruity, Spicy and ever so slightly Bitter towards the end with Pineapple, Mandarin, Pepper and a touch of Sea Spray.

I added a bit of Water and Spices like Pepper and Mustard get stronger. A bit more Malty and Buttery on the Palate as well. You can try it out neat and with a little Water.

Rating: 78

Nose: 19 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 19.5

General Remarks: This Tobermory was distilled in 1995 and bottled at Cask Strength in 2012. It matured in Ex-Bourbon Cask # ES 014/01. This expression is part of The First Edition bottlings by Edition Spirits. It's not coloured artificially nor Chill-filtered. It costs around 110 US Dollars but the availability is limited. 

Edition Spirits is an Independent bottler founded in 2010 by Andrew and Scott Laing. 

The Tobermory Distillery is located on the Hebridean Island of Mull. It was formerly named Ledaig and was founded in 1798 by John Sinclair. Nowadays it is owned by Distell Group Ltd from South Africa. The Distillery produces unpeated Malt under the name Tobermory and peated Malt under the old Distillery name Ledaig. The whisky is mainly used in blends like Black Bottle and Scottish Leader.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: Tobermory uses unpeated Barley for its Single Malt but still there was an overall Earthy feeling to this 1995 expression. But let me start by saying that it was an interesting experiment to taste this Tobermory as Nose and Palate seem to belong to two different Single Malts. The Nose comes close to being a tad unpleasant as Cabbage, Oat Meal and Burnt Toast are hardly the Aromas I'm looking for in a whisky that sells at over 100 US Dollars. On the Palate however it's quite Fruity, Spicy and drinkable. The Finish is slightly Bitter towards the end. To sum it up, the Tobermory 1995 Edition Spirits is a bit of a mixed bag and Nose and Palate are not at all in balance. Interesting enough to taste a glass but not good enough to consider buying a full bottle at this price. 

Jan van den Ende                                                     September 2013

Clynelish 1988 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - North

Brand: Clynelish 1988 (Edition Spirits)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 23 Years

ABV: 50 %

Date: 16/06/2013

Colour: Light Golden

Nose: When I opened the sample I was welcomed by Juicy Barley. Almost like Beer. In the glass however, Oak, Vanilla, Buttered Toast and Straw are in the lead, strongly suggesting this Clynelish matured in Ex-Bourbon Casks. A bit of Alcohol there as well as might be expected given the high ABV. Reminded me somewhat of an older Bourbon. The Nose doesn't open up very easily. After a while some timid Floral - and Fruity tones appear as well as hints of Maraschino Cherries and Honey. Overall I get a Woody, Earthy Farmyard impression when Nosing this Clynelish.

Palate: Strong, Herbal, Spicy delivery with Malt, Grass, Oak, Vanilla, Licorice, Cinnamon and Pepper.

Finish: Middle-Long and Dry with Vanilla, Oak, Tea, Honey, Licorice and Spices.

I added a bit of Water and I get some Barley back in the Nose. Hints of Citrus as well. Fruity and Floral Tones are somewhat reinforced. Palate and Finish become slightly Sweeter while also presenting Lemon and a certain smoothness. I advise you to experiment with some Water here.

Rating: 83

Nose: 21- Taste: 21 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: This Clynelish was distilled in 1988 and bottled at Cask Strength in 2012. It matured in Cask # 009/04. This expression is part of The First Edition bottlings by Edition Spirits. It's not coloured artificially nor Chill-filtered. It costs around 170 US Dollars but the availability is limited. 

Edition Spirits is an Independent bottler founded in 2010 by Andrew and Scott Laing. The Clynelish Distillery was opened in 1819 and rebuilt in 1896. In 1968 a new Clynelish Distillery was erected nearby and the old Distillery was renamed Brora (The Bridges River). Brora was closed in May 1983 and part of the buildings are used by Clynelish, now owned by Diageo.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: 23 years in a Cask is a long time and it's quite natural that Wood and Wood Spice are very important cornerstones of this Clynelish. If you like older (6-8 year) Bourbons you will probably like this Highlander. Personally I prefer a slightly more balanced profile and I would have liked to see a stronger Fruit component. This can't be a cheap whisky of course so I would advise you to try out a sample first to check out whether this Clynelish matches your preferred flavour profile.

Jan van den Ende                                                               June 2013