Tomintoul 14 Year Chorlton Whisky

Review by: The Muskox

This dram introduced me to both a new distillery and a new bottler. Yes, I’ve reviewed that Tomintoul Vintage Single Cask, but I wrote up this review a few months ago, before trying that one.

Unfortunately, all I can think of when I see Chorlton is “Storp, Chorleh! This gayme has goone own laang enouwf!”

Distillery: Tomintoul.

Bottler: Chorlton Whisky.

Region: Speyside.

ABV: 57.6%. Cask strength.

Age: 14 years. Bottled in 2019.

Cask type: Sherry butt.

Price: N/A, sample.

Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Very sweet. Bright sherbet-y orange, peaches and cream, honeydew, honey oat clusters, and chewy caramels. The sherry isn’t really overt, it’s softer with fruit preserves and a hint of a leathery note. bright sweet orange. Peaches and cream. Sherbet, gristy malt, honey oat clusters, chewy caramel. Soft sherry, mixed fruit preserves, a hint of leather.  A bit of a sweet papery note, not in a bad way. Rose petal. Veeeeery soft paraffin and mineral oil.

Palate: Super soft feel, mild heat. Stronger sherry. Piles of stonefruit – peach, plums, and cherry pie. Toasted marshmallows. Very thick honey in the middle. Chocolate coated orange peel, chocolate cookies, and smooth malt. Some slightly firm oak.

Finish: Creamy. Milk chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and brown sugar. Dried strawberries and apricots. Raisins. Chinotto?

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Peach Lightning, go Peach Lightning”

Conclusion: Straightforward but good. The comparison that’s coming to mind for me is that 1980 Glen Grant I had a little while ago. It was similar in its malty, sweet, plush-fruit style but is also just so much better. Richer, deeper, more complex… I do enjoy this subtle-sherry/malt-bomb style but it’s not always the most exciting to drink.

Final Score: 83.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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