Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 52.6%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Sherry refill, peated cask finish
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Hidden Spirits
Average price: € 75.00
Official website: hiddenspirits.it
To be honest, I have not tasted many Tomintoul whiskies, especially none from IB. I therefore jump at the chance to make up for this shortcoming thanks to Hidden Spirits from Emilia, in Italy. Theirs is a peculiar proposition: a Tomintoul distilled in 2005 that, after 13 years in a former sherry cask refill, has spent the last 11 months in a peated cask whose provenance is not specified. Bottled in 2020 at 52.6%ABV in its natural colour and without chillfiltration in 268 bottles, still available.
Tasting Notes
The colour is a brilliant gold.
The nose, on a charcoal substrate sprinkled with black pepper, delicately rests notes of custard, yellow apple, dried fruit (walnuts and almonds), sultanas, dried figs and zabaglione. The smoke is subtle but enveloping. There are hints of malaga, milk chocolate and, far ahead in the drinking, almost of After Eight. A mirage of crostoli, completely out of season, to close.
On the palate, the first impression is of embers long since extinguished. Then, with the ever-present contribution of pepper, we perceive memories of custard and peach in syrup. A hint of chilli warms the mouth, while eggnog, Granny Smith apple and walnut anticipate a cappuccino with an extinguished cigarette inside, before a long, peppery finish, with touches of custard, yellow apple and more charcoal.
A ‘constructed’ whisky, in the best sense of the word. The finish was evidently designed to add a quid of interest to a solid but perhaps not so original profile. Mission perfectly accomplished for a very interesting dram that confirms the qualities of Hidden Spirits’ signature whiskies.
Vote: 87/100