Review by: Raygun

Tomatin is pretty easy to overlook. The 12 is mostly distinguished for being cheap. I do go around recommending the 18 to anyone who will listen, as one of the few remaining reasonable values at that age (it’s also very tasty). I always like Manzanilla casks and there aren’t enough of them. When I saw this, I thought I’d try it to see how it was as a cheap Manzanilla cask. The Cuatro series is a line of four expressions, aged 10 years in bourbon casks and then finished about 2 years in different sherry casks: Fino, Manzanilla, Oloroso, and PX. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Tomatin 

Bottler: Tomatin

Region/style: Highlands single malt Scotch

ABV: 46%

Age: 12 years. Distilled on January 15, 2003 and bottled on March 16, 2015

Cask type: 10 years in bourbon casks, then nearly 2 years in Manzanilla. Moved to sherry casks on June 29, 2011. 2000 bottles.

Color: 1.2 chestnut. I presume colored and chill-filtered. Those that aren’t, such as the 18, state it on the box.

Price: $60 pre-tax I believe.

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Nose: Strange. Rather sour, with something like a sheep or goat milk cheese. Green olives, incense, yogurt. A little all over the place and not cohering well.   

Palate: Quite herbal, with a definite fermented sort of sourness. Aspects of pickles and yogurt. Green olives, manchego cheese, green apples. The nose was odd, and that continues on the palate. Does at least have a Spanish theme. Gets somewhat better with time in the glass, even considering the bottle has been open a while. 

Finish: Slightly more conventional. Some caramel sweetness along with the tart cheese flavor. The herbal flavor is still strong, and it’s got that olive saltiness. 

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Conclusion: One of the stranger Scotches I’ve ever had. Scores fairly high on the “interesting” scale; lower on the “delicious” dimension. Normally I love Manzanilla casks, but these must have been some weird casks. Not like other Manzanilla maturations/finishes that I’ve had. It might actually go well with a cheese plate with some olives. By itself, it’s not doing it for me. 

Buy again? Won’t be replacing it.  

Score: 69

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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)