Another entrant into the longest whisky name in history title. The Tomatin whisky is some of the more interesting on the market just now. The history of the history is also mentioned in a couple of chapters in this very interesting book on the social history of whisky – Book Review: The Whisky Men

I have visited once but only in passing with the wife and kids so we got as far as a quick look around the car park and shop before everyone got back in the car on our way to Landmark Adventure Park

This is a limited edition bottle from a year or so ago. Distilled in 2014 and bottled in 2024 at 46% ABV and available for under £70 this is a ex-bourbon matured whisky with a finishing period in Manzanilla sherry casks.

The quickstart guide to Sherry and their profiles is to think of:

Fino Sherry which is made from the first pressing of the grapes, fortified to 15% ABV or so and aged in a Solera method which is massive barrels which are continuing being topped up and drawn from. The aging phase comes from allowing a flor or layer of mould to develop on the top which protects from oxidisation and spoiling.

Manzanilla is all of that but its not produced in a different region of Spain – near the sea. That is the type of Sherry we are interested in this bottle.

Amontillado is a Fino style Sherry where the flor is used up or died off manually and the sherry is left to oxidise. Generally this is a dry sherry and one most prized by some people.

Oloroso – Probably the most common type of sherry used in Whisky maturation. The word Oloroso comes from the Spanish for pungent and is made from the last pressing of grapes which means the flor doesn’t form as well and you get a mostly oxidised sherry fortified to 20% ABV

Palo Cortado – A rarer form of Sherry. Its a Fino Sherry which has oxidised earlier in its life either by chance or by intervention. Its a mix of Amontillado and Oloroso in profile. The Cortado is a cross and its this cross which was marked on barrels or so legend says which was to signify the sherry was spoiled

Pedro Ximenez or PX – A very sweet sherry, whisky matured in these barrels tend to hit a higher price point and are highly sought after. They also tend to overpower all the whisky so I am not sure once you have a few that many people go back to them.

The above info was taken from the Master of malt blog post on Sherry.

Tasting Notes

Colour	Golden Yellow
Nose	salted butter, rich fresh double cream, sultanas and dark forest gateau
Palate	Thick mouthfeel and coats the glass nicely chamomile tea, butterscotch, gingernut biscuits
Finish	A charred wood note, black pepper and burnt caramel

Where Can I Buy?

Master of Malt – Manzanilla Cask

Final Thoughts

A very nice 10 year old whisky. There is a lot of bottles in this price point though with larger age statements and more interesting and complex notes. Not sure I would buy a full bottle but it is very nice whisky.