Tomintoul is a brand which is getting my attention, especially the older versions. It looks like there are some very nice vintages out there and as I read quite some blogs or tasting notes who are raving about this I just had to try it myself. First up is the Tomintoul 1973 from Taste Still. This one is from the botteling series The Day of Pearly Spencer.
This Tomintoul is 39 years old and is bottled in 2012 at 46,6% ABV.
Tomintoul 1973 tasting notes:
Nose: Hmmm interesting. Marzipan, some lovely fruits like lemons, lychee, unripe bananas, and also a hint of coconut. A bit of mango and apricots too. With air and giving it the time it deserves everything settles down, becoming much sweeter in the nose where the oranges and apricotes do the talking and becoming more one dimensional.
Taste: Oranges, orange peel, grapefruits and apricots. There is a certain bitterness to the taste which makes it interesting but it almost feels like it would be to much. A bit of leather and vanilla. The bitterness dissapears after a while and I find much more on manderins and sweet oranges.
Finish: Quite heavy on the caramel, some nuts and apricots. All finishing with a bit of mint. Bitterness stays for quite some time.
Although the bitterness doesn’t overpower the whisky it remains long suspended. Only after a very long time and with a few drops of water that is gone. All well integrated with sweet oranges and apricotes and very, very drinkable. A well deserved 89 points that is!
