Berry Bros. & Rudd Tobermory 1996

We're leaving the mainland for our final review from the current range of cask bottlings from Berry Bros. This completes my recent run of reviews from Berry Bros. & Rudd and overall its been enjoyable and provided drams for thought. What I've particularly enjoyed are the opportunities to try overlooked distilleries.

We've had offerings from Glentauchers and Allt-a-Bhainne for instance and the overall standard has been very good. Tobermory is another overlooked distillery when the fashionistas flock towards the Islay whiskies, Macallan, Glenmorangies etc. In the background exists another realm of distilleries quietly, without the pomp and ceremony, going about their business in a dedicated fashion. More power to them.


Distillery: Tobermory
Distilled: 1996
Bottled: 2014 (18 years old)
Strength: 53.7%
Additional: cask 379

Colour: sliced apple

Nose: oddly its the cask char in the background that I reach into immediately. Almonds are here as is vanilla, heather and a mellow coastal influence. Also present is a sugary sweetness that takes me back to my youth and enjoying a Wham bar. A very distinctive aroma with a soft chew toffee sprinkled with sherbet. These candy bars destroyed teeth so I do prefer this Tobermory!

Taste: more creamy vanilla sweetness around the edges which slowly subsides, allowing the wood and weak embers to come through. A gentle finish then slowly drifts away.