Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port Cask Finish

Nose: here is an unusual nose, with warm, chewy plastic, and age-old capsules that once contained saffron. Then, it is old, wide elastic bands, warm bicycle inner-tubes, jelly capsules -- it has a borderline-medicinal aura, thanks to that latter, -- and a spot of vegetal... something. Might it be spurge stems? Or daffodils in a vase of hot water? It triggers memories; tOMoH has come across this sort of profiles before. But what was it? The more time passes, the more succulent plants rise: cactus, yuca, one crassula or another. Tilting the glass releases some freshness, somewhere between limoncello and salmiak. Against all prejudices, it is rather pleasant. The second nose confirms the saffron-capsule note, adds faded oilcloth, and a milk pot of gellified mocha custard. It has Bourbon-cream biscuit filling too, if one is on a mission to find that. Mouth: very thick at first, full of succulent-plant saps and leaves, it soon proves slightly bitter (dialled-down liquorice allsorts) and rooty-herbal (salmiak). Chewing reinforces a succulent-plant impression, more eucalyptus or laurel than anything much thicker. One may claim to distinguish chocolate, though that would be a stretch. The second sip sees Bourbon-cream spread that would be made out of almonds. Indeed, if it is sweet as a biscuit filling, it is unmistakably bitter too. Not unpleasantly so. Finish: here, on the other hand, we definitely have chocolate. Mint and chocolate lozenges of so specific a kind that I have to use the French word 'dragée' to describe it accurately. That hardened-sugar shell with a chocolate filling. It is neither powerful, nor big, yet it is a long finish that sticks to the tonsils and the uvula in particular. A little creamy, it dies like a chocolate mousse. The second gulp is very much in line. Creamier, probably. I doubt this has a high ABV; it merely tickles the tip of the tongue after three sips. Pleasant enough drop.
https://theoldmanofhuy.blogspot.com/2025/03/07032025-mystery-sample-3.html

Excellent wood selection from Tomatin, the dram has a terrific natural red hue imbued from the use of port casks for some of its maturation. Very smooth at 14yo, with a very fruit-laden taste profile on the palate and finish, at 46% abv a very easy everyday drinler.

Love this stuff. Rich berry flavours from the Port finish great age and proof far to easy to drink and will be getting another as do not want to be without.