Tomatin Dualchas

Ok so I like the Tomatin 12 year so figured Id give this a shot. This is aged in virgin oak similar to Deanston Virgin oak which I also think is great. Poured neat, nose jumps out of the glass with chocolate, marshmallow and pastry dough. First thing that came to mind was a chocolate croissant. Settles a bit into some fresh apple, malt, dusty cardboard and traces of wood. Lot going on for a low$20 bottle of scotch. Mouth feel is somewhat thin and the youth shows up with some sizzle but there is a healthy dose of flavor. Neapolitan ice cream, honey and malt morph into apple,dry roast coffee and pine wood. If this had some depth to these flavors it would be amazing. Still very enjoyable. Finishes with vanilla, coffee and malt fading to drying oak. Overall very pleased especially at this price point. Tomatin seems to be a solid brand with high quality malts. Its a light youthful scotch however if you can look past the lack of refinement there is a lot to like........82/100

Pours a pale yellow color. Leaves a thick collar of lace on the inside rim of the glass. The nose is lemongrass, a perfume of rose petals and herbs. Butterscotch, marshmallow, coconut and an almost piña colada-like aroma emerge. Vanilla and citric, lemon-drop aromas. The flavor is coconut, marshmallow and stewed apples. There is a not inconsiderable burn, but that pleasantly matches with sugarplums, nutmeg, figs, dates and other flavors that must come from the sherry barrel. The tannins from the barrel bloom, giving a kiss of perfume on the front of the palate. The finish is earthy, but not peaty: more like ash, sand, potting soil and mild smoke. Next come sherry and spicy fruitcake, dark cherry and candied oranges. Tomatin Dualchas is luxuriously perfumed, spicy and sherry-forward Scotch that challenges you but rewards you for sitting with it a spell.

Dualchas expression from Tomatin is a no age statement (NAS) bottling that is probably the most budget friendly out of any Single Malt Scotches, starting at $24 from Total Wine. The nose on this whisky is incredible with apricots, golden raisins, and candied ginger and orange peel. The palate and the finish is a bit of a let down as the nose promises more than what this bottle delivers. Some vanilla and a bit honey sweetness followed by citrus notes before quickly burning out with notes of charred oak and black pepper. More substance is hoped for but it is hard to complain when it is only $24. While I may only pick this up again to use in cocktails, it sold me on giving their other expressions a whirl.

Just want to put in my two cents on this young malt. I mostly want to draw attention again to this excellent value malt. Having been aged in both ex-bourbon and virgin oak barrels, there is little char evident, and more vanilla than usually associated with a youthful NAS malt. On the palate there is gentle sweetness, citrus (lemon?), vanilla, and yellow spongecake. The finish is true and gentle and very little burn. This is not the Scotch you drink when contemplating the current state of mankind. This is the Scotch you drink when you want to enjoy a very tasty dram (or two) that will not break the bank, nor demand your total concentration.

This is good for the price especially with 43% abv! I do get vanilla, milk chocolate and cinnamon. On the palate fruit, ginger with a good mouthfeel. Can seem a little medicinal and with some artificial sweetness. Finish is moderate and good with more peppery sweetness, oak, bitterness. Surprisingly good for the money. I serve this in a decanter and everyone always thinks I’m serving up something much more expensive.

The nose has butterscotch, sarsaparilla, pears, and freshly printed paper. On the palate you get sweet oak, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, and cinnamon. The finish is a little spicy but enjoyable. This scotch is a great value for the money. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a light/young speyside. I think this is better than Tomatin 12, and on par with Glenfiddich 12 for a lot less money.