Mixed distillery tasting

Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, GlenGarioch, Tamnavulin & Tomatin. Not distilleries I encounter too often anymore, so why not do a mixed tasting with one of each of them.








Dalmore 12yo 40% OB Pure Malt

Bottled by Whyte & Mackay. I'm assuming this whisky was bottled back in the 80's sometime because of the "Pure Malt" statement. Don't be confused, its still a single malt from Dalmore Distillery. Small evaporation in this miniature. Golden/hazel color. It smells of leather, ammonium, chalkdust, gasoline, wax, engine oil, quite a beast actually. The taste is sweet, cinnamon, nutty, honey, almonds, caramel, candle wax, gingerbread, fantastic!

A velvet whisky if I should be so pompous: 8


Tomatin 12yo 40% OB

This one is "finished in spanish sherry casks". The color is deep mahogany. It smells honey, wheat, perfumy, a bit burnt, old textiles and pistachio. The taste is sweet and fresh, rosé wine, leeks, fruit syrup, green tea, lavender, sweet red berries. There's a very short, but pleasant peppery finish.

Easy, light and undemanding aperitif style whisky: 5


Tamnavulin 18yo 1990-2008 43% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail

Tamnavulin is now under ownership of indian Dr Mallya since buying Whyte & Mackay back in 2007. So, when their new whisky is coming together after the re-opening, I unfortunately see very little, if any of it, coming to Norway. Not much Tamnavulin to be found anywhere these days, but I recommend trying one from one of the finer IB ranges if you can find it. The color is golden. It smells austere, spirity notes, some oakand apple juice, but its very boring to be honest. No fruitiness, no sweetness, no maltiness, no heat, seems almost like a vodka. After a while it gets a bit more heat, some oak and cinnamon, but all in all this was somewhat disappointing.

An alternative to cheap white wines?: 3


Dalwhinnie 27yo 1966-1993 45.5% Cadenhead's

At this age, I hope Dalwhinnie, which is a very light whisky, will not be all dominated by the oak. The color is golden. It smells rice wine, sake, very perfumy, raw onions, orange zest, spirity, bourbon wood. The taste is sweet, vanilla, sweet licorice, marzipan, floral, linseed oil, just perfect! Orange liqueur and honey is also present. The finish is fried pears and black pepper. But the best thing is, its so thick its almost a dessert on its own.

Superb! Best Dalwhinnie so far in my book: 9


Glen Garioch 18yo 1988-2007 52.8% Duncan Taylor cask#1557

I visited Glen Garioch back in 2010, interesting stuff, what fascinated me the most was that all the tastings I got while there had the same peppery and dusty old style. Golden color. It smells grassy, ginger, soapy, old books, peat, wax, tin foil, kind of pleasant. The taste is burnt, chopped onions, oaky, licorice, juniper berries, cigars, smoky. The finish is herbal, oregano, basil, juniper again and some thyme.

A refined Glen Garioch: 6.5



Next tasting: Blair Athol Distillery