Review by: Raygun

Had a lot more Ledaig than Tobermory. In fact, I didn’t go back through my records exhaustively, but I think this might be my first bourbon cask Tobermory. Ledaig is some of my favorite peated whisky, but the unpeated version is easy to overlook. I’ve never quite understood the various Duncan Taylor lines, but Dimensions seems to be fairly normal stuff (no octaves here) released at cask strength, and older than the Battlehill line. Rested about 15 minutes. Notes from initial blind tasting, with additions in italics a few days later after reveal.

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Distillery: Tobermory 

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Region/style: Islands single malt whisky

ABV: 53% 

Age: 10 years. Distilled in 2008, bottled in 2019.  

Cask type: Oak cask (good to know, thanks) #16900188, 342 bottles. I’m betting a hogshead.

Color: 0.3 pale gold. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Smells malty, as the color suggested. Cookies more than cereal, vanilla ice cream, a little grass, and something else I can’t pin down. Maybe the palate will help. There is some youth here in the form of varnish.  

Palate: More fruit than I expected from the nose. Peaches, oranges, apricots. Still has some grass and there’s the vanilla. Something floral going on too, which may be what I was picking up on the nose. Might be on the young side; there’s a prickly note or two. Creamier with a few drops of water. Smooths out the prickle, too. This wasn’t hot initially, but still improves a lot with a little water. More vanilla than I noticed initially. Vanilla buttercream. It actually is a little hot; probably the youth again. Definitely does better with water, which intensifies the fruit.

Finish: Gets a little more tart here. Still fruity, with some grass. Didn’t notice much oak on the palate and not very strong here either, supporting the thought that it’s on the young side. Has some pine. Fruit flavors intensify with some water, and it shows more wood as well. A little earthy flavor shows up. The orange and apricot are more noticeable. 

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Guess: Hard to say. Aspects remind me of Linkwood, Glenlossie, and Arran. Scotch, anyway. Bourbon cask, that I can be pretty sure of. Not very old; under 15 years I think. Doubt it’s cask strength; on the low side if it is. Doesn’t seem more than 50% ABV. 

Conclusion: Would make a good summer dram with an appealing freshness. Not overly complicated, but enjoyable, if a little young. Water helps a good deal. I’ve got a similar Dimensions Highland Park waiting to be opened and I only hope it’s as good. 

Post-reveal thoughts: Ah, Tobermory. There’s a surprise. Don’t think I’ve had one in a bourbon cask before. Not my best guess, but far from my worst. Duncan Taylor Dimensions is notorious for saying nothing beyond “aged in an oak cask,” but even without more information I’d be shocked if this weren’t a bourbon cask. No real funk to it. It’s pretty straightforward, though far from boring.  

Buy a bottle? Wouldn’t be something I’d specifically seek out. 

Score: 76

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)