Review #234: Old Malt Cask 1996 Tobermory 22 Refill Sherry Cask Strength K&L

Island - 22 - NCF - NCA - $90 at K&L - 54.4%

Tobermory is an Island distillery that is probably better known for making Ledaig, which is peated Tobermory. Tobermory is located on the Isle of Mull but the maturation occurs in Deanston.  While I have had many Ledaigs, I have only had the Tobermory 10 once, and I remember it had a decent amount of funk.  Tobermory is (in)famous for keeping a large part of the feints which gives it a good amount of funk, (Dave has a great piece on fients).  Old Malt Cask seems to be K&L's go to for single casks of well aged whisky at close out prices.  Wow is this light colored for 22 years in a Sherry cask.  This must have been reused until there was nothing left.  

Color - Pale Gold  - 

Nose - Figs (ok so there might be some sherry in there), malt, peaches, vanilla, honey, saline solution - with water - stone fruit, lemon, sea spray, and funk - sweaty clothing

Palate - Malt, roux, lemon zest - with water - malt, salt water, lemon

Finish - Medium - Malt, lemon, ginger - with water - malt, lemon heads, 

Overall - 6 - The nose on this is very muted, hard to pick up much beyond basic flavors.  This isn't complex, but it is pleasant enough.  It is a total malt bomb with some interesting touches.  It drinks like it was half its age statement, which is perfectly fine as it is priced at half its age statement.  If you were expecting sherry influence, you would be very disappointed.  I don't feel much of the Tobermory characteristics came through on this.  Overall, a decent dram but nothing to get excited about.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.92

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16