Tomintoul 1969 KIW Review

“Walking on the Moon”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highlands - Speyside

Brand: Tomintoul 1969 (KIW - Kintra Whisky)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 42 Years

ABV: 44.3 %

Colour: Amber

Nose: At first I get loads of Sweet Fruit and assorted Fruit Candies. I find Banana, Orange, Orange-Melon, Papaya Cream, Pineapple and Maraschino Cherries. But it doesn't take long before Oak, Dried Apricots, light Honey, Toffee, Vanilla, Orange Marmalade, Tangerine and Buttered Toast arrive to take control. Hints of Wood Polish and Heather. The Alcohol is beautifully integrated. The ABV is just about right. The Nose of this Tomintoul could have been truly great if not for the fact that some of the Fruit Flavours are a bit artificial. Still, very Fresh and Lively for its age. Well Done!

Palate: Not at all as interesting and balanced as the Nose. Oak, Caramel and Spices are the main flavours. I find White Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves, Mint and Dried Ginger Powder. Some of the Fruit is still there, mainly Apple, Orange Marmalade, Ice Tea Lemon and Tangerine. Hints of Mint and Walnuts. On the Palate, the many years in the Cask begin to tell!

Finish: Middle-Long, Spicy and (Bitter) Sweet with Cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, White Pepper, Citrus, Maraschino Cherries and light Licorice. After a while a hint of Pine Needles. The Nutmeg and Cloves flavours are very clear.  

I added a bit of Water that enhances the Fruit on the Nose. On the Palate and in the Finish it does not do a lot of good as the original ABV is almost spot on. Better sip it neat. 

Rating: 85

Nose: 22.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 21.5

General Remarks: The Tomintoul we are tasting today was distilled on the 26th of February 1969 when the Distillery was still owned by Hay & MacLeod & Co. It was bottled at Cask Strength by Independent Bottler Kintra Whisky (Deventer, the Netherlands) in January 2012. It matured in a Bourbon Hogshead with Cask # 1196. The whisky has not been chill-filtered and is 100% naturally coloured. It costs around 240 US Dollars. I'm not sure whether it's still available. I got a sample at Whiskybase in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The Tomintoul distillery is located in Ballindalloch, Banfshire and was founded in 1964. Since 2000, the Distillery is in the hands of Angus Dundee Distillers PLC who also own Glencadam.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: It is not everyday that I get to drink a whisky that was distilled in 1969 when Zager & Evans ruled the Charts with "In the Year 2525", when the world saw three days of Love, Peace, Music and Mud in Woodstock, when Armstrong supposedly walked on the moon and when I was "Only Sixteen"! It was certainly an interesting Tasting Session that started off well with the very nice Nose despite some slightly artificial Fruit aromas. But on the Palate and in the Finish the years began to tell and Oak and Spices became very dominant. I'm sure lots of people would love that but I believe that this Tomintoul did overstay its time in the Cask somewhat. The Nutmeg and Cloves on the Finish are quite remarkable and seem to linger on forever. If Palate and Finish would have followed up the Nose with some nice Fruit I would have been glad to pay 240 US Dollars for this dram. As it is however, I'm glad I only bought a sample!

Jan van den Ende                                                                      April 16, 2014

Clynelish 1995 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highlands (Northern)

Brand: Clynelish 1995 (KIW - Kintra Whisky)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 16 Years

ABV: 53.7 %

Date: 27/11/2013

Colour: Golden Sunlight

Nose: The Sherry is certainly present accompanied by a light Vegetative Sulphur Aroma that almost disappears with time. I also get Wax, Honey, Malt, Buttered Toast, Straw, Grass, Oak, Lemon, Vanilla, Mandarin, Marzipan, Nuts, Raisins, light Spices and a hint of Leather.The Alcohol is not yet fully integrated. I can't get very excited about this Nose. This is not my first Clynelish and so far this Distillery is not among my favourites I'm afraid.

Palate: Orange Marmalade, Grappa, Toast and Salted Butter, Sherry, Honey, Toffee, Vanilla, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Licorice, Dried Fruits and Nuts, Straw and a hint of Mustard Seeds.

Finish: Middle-Long and Waxy with Orange, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Sherry, Resin, Buttered Toast, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger and a pinch of Salt.

I added a bit of Water and the Sulphur disappears. I also get more Malt,  Honey, Vanilla, Marzipan, Citrus Fruit and Pineapple. The Palate becomes more refined but the Finish almost disappears. On the whole, it's certainly worthwhile to add a few drops of Water. Carefully as always as you don't want to overdo it!

Rating: 83.5

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

General Remarks: The Clynelish we are tasting today was distilled in December 1995 and bottled at Cask Strength by Independent Bottler Kintra Whisky (Deventer, the Netherlands) in November 2012. It matured in a Refill Sherry Butt with Cask # 2156 out of which 90 bottles were reserved for Kintra Whisky. The whisky is not chill-filtered and naturally coloured. It costs around 90 US Dollars. Availability is limited. 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: This Clynelish is certainly not a bad Single Malt. But it's not quite my style either. The Nose is the less interesting part as far as I'm concerned. Adding a bit of Water does help cleaning it up somewhat. Lots of Grapes and Citrus on the Palate so if you like Grappa you might enjoy this Clynelish as well. The Mustard seed on the Palate is interesting. I think it's the first time I got that in a Whisky. But other than that the Clynelish 1995 KIW is not a Single Malt I will remember for the rest of my life.   

Jan van den Ende                                                      November 2013