Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1968 Chester Whisky

The British Chester Whisky & Liqueur Company, a whiskyshop that turned independent bottler, already has four releases on their 2013 rap sheet: Littlemill 1988, Macduff 2000, Bowmore 1998 and this Tomintoul 1968. The oldest Tomintoul I have tried so far with 45 years in the cask (I have tried Tomintoul 1967 as well, but bottled at a slightly younger age). Let us get to it!

Ooh, wonderfully sweet nose on all kinds of fruit. Overripe banana, juicy melon, Doyenné pear, dried pineapple, hints of gooseberries, plums and citrus. Perfectly balanced by notes of leather, heather, oak and dried grasses. After a few moments, it becomes even rounder when some marzipan and a truckload of vanilla arrive. A refreshing leaf of mint. A nose to entice the senses!

The attack is quite soft (I would rather not call it weak), but I am willing to forgive this Tomintoul on the spot, for it is very tasteful. Banana and citrus first, then joined by oak that makes it mildly drying. From the herb cabinet, I remember ginger and liquorice, but also a bit of pepper.

Only on the long and warm finish does the oak really put its foot down to leave the mouth completely dry at the end.

Great and complex Tomintoul, that can easily hold its own next to the magnificent Tomintoul 1969 from The Whiskyman. Around 220 EUR.

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