Tormore 10yo (43 G.L., OB for Italy, b. ca 1970s): not sure which version this is, exactly, nor which Italian Importer. Minimalistic sample label. Nose: brine-y and pickle-y, it is also leafy, with ivy and green sticks (is that celery, I smell?), green tomatoes, gerania, lemongrass (the mosquito repellent, not the Southeast Asian spice), bay leaves, bergamot foliage... It even has unripe citrus peel, very subdued. It also smells powerful, considering it is 43% ABV and has been in the glass for over four decades. Flowering currants, sherbet and a notch of butter -- or ghee, to clarify. Ahem. Mouth: hard to tell if it is soft or lively. It remains leafy, with vine leaves, citrus foliage, drying pomelo skins, lilac leaves, but also nigella seeds, strangely enough. A bitterer side emerges, with aniseed and those nigella seeds. The second sip brings citrus-y yoghurt, creamy and lemon-y at the same time, which works a treat. Finish: vanilla custard joins the leaves, subtle. Mint leaves, mint tea, peppermint and a pinch of nigella seeds again. This finish sticks to the palate! The mint is augmented with yellow fruit (nectarine) and citrus (satsuma segments). Beautiful drop, even if I reckon I liked an earlier version even more. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, Jolly Toper)
Tomintoul 45yo 1973/2018 Double Wood Matured (44.5%, OB Vintage, Bourbon Barrel + Oloroso Sherry Hogshead, C#OS1, 240b): nose: fruity caramel, with lush strawberry, fudge, banana rum, peach drops, ripe pear, a pinch of marijuana dust too, not unlike a 1953 Glenfarclas. Let us call it hemp. The more I nose this, the fruitier it becomes, with raspberry jelly, redcurrant jam and even some undecipherable exotic shades. Mouth: softly acidic, the palate sees a string of fresh fruits, both from here and from there: strawberry, raspberry, peach, but also dragon fruit and Chinese gooseberry, unripe pear, green banana, rhubarb and a pinch of grated ginger. Spearmint, apple mint and a decent serving of tannins confirm that this was in wood for a loooong time. Finish: managing an impressive balance of fruit and wood, the finish moves back and forth between raspberry, banana rum, pear and spearmint, ginger, sandalwood. The second sip does away with the woody side to focus on banana custard, smashed banana and creamy mint sauce, via retronasal olfaction. This one demands time and attention, but it will reward the patient taster. Gawjus juice. 9/10 (Thanks for the sample, SW)Sadly, no Tomatin, today.
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