At this time we’re taking a look at two latest bottlings within the dependable Connoisseurs Alternative vary from Gordon & Macphail. The duo consists of a Tomatin 2003 from a bourbon cask, and a Glenburgie 2008 from a sherry hogshead.
Tomatin 20 yo 2003 (55,8%, Gordon & MacPhail ‘Connoisseurs Alternative’ 2024, first fill bourbon barrel #2381, 187 btl.)
Nostril: candy barley with a pleasant fruitiness. Juicy lemons, hints of bananas, unripe pears and greengages. Coconut shavings. Fairly candied, with icing sugar and hints of whipped cream. Then drops of honey with almonds and vanilla, but additionally a sharper grassy edge and hints of fizzy tonic water.
Mouth: very nice once more, with brilliant and nice fruits throughout. Peaches, yellow plums, inexperienced bananas and hints of grapefruits. Hints of mango and tangerine sweets. After this burst of fruits there’s an oaky ingredient, shortly getting greener and fairly tangy, with some gingery notes and grass.
End: fairly lengthy and oaky, with a natural bitterness, grapefruit zest, white pepper and a leafy edge.
The juicy fruits instantly received me over, however the agency zesty and grassy aspect brings down the general enjoyment. Good whisky although, should you’re searching for a tangy fruitiness.
Glenburgie 15 yo 2008 (57,4%, Gordon & MacPhail ‘Connoisseurs Alternative’ 2024, first fill sherry hogshead #17602308, 299 btl.)
Nostril: loads of toffee notes, plums, cocoa powder and hints of mocha. Then roasted hazelnuts and cappucino. Beneath there’s a lightweight umami trace of Maggi and pumpernickel, with charred oak and hints of burnt orange peels.
Mouth: plums and dates, with a pleasant bitter fringe of crimson berries. Agency roasted notes. Some brownies with roasted pecans, extra toffee, getting extra savoury over time. Hints of bouillon, chocolate and natural extract within the background, together with a gentle meaty aspect.
End: medium, on darkish chocolate, black pepper and hints of liquorice.
A darkish and caramelly fashion. It provides some a pleasant profile for wintertime, but it surely’s beefy and spicy so possibly not doing justice to Glenburgie’s fruity spirit character. Apparently a launch for mainland Europe – I discovered it at Whiskysite.nl. Rating: 85/100
