At Tomatin they’re not afraid to experiment with maturation in exotic cask types (basically meaning anything but ex-bourbon or ex-sherry). For example, last year they released this Tomatin 14 Years Old Cabernet Sauvignon. It was finished in, you guessed it, ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks.
Now this is not your typical finished whisky, because a typical finish lasts anywhere from a couple of months to a year, if you’re lucky. Nope, this Tomatin spent the last five years in those wine casks. I wouldn’t call that a finish, I’d call that a double maturation.
Tomatin 2002 14 Years Old Cabernet Sauvignon (46%, OB, 2016)
Nose: Big nose, but not overpowering, just a rich aroma. Syrupy. Blue grapes, brown sugar, blackcurrants and a whiff of lime zest. Also damp oak and cherry pie.
Taste: The influence of the wine cask is once again evident. Thick and mouth-coating, sweet and slightly sour. There are berries and also some bitter oak, giving it a dry edge. Some spices as well, mainly cloves and cinnamon.
Finish: Ends on a spicy, drying note. Medium in length.
Rating: 86
Fruity, sweet and spicy. Pretty good, I’d say. Although if you generally don’t like wine finished whiskies, you should probably stay away from this one. While not too dominant, the wine influence is clearly present.
