Watt Whisky Tormore 10yo...

Watt Whisky Tormore 10yo (57.1%): Continuing our Watt Whisky Week in its 3rd day with a young(ish) Tormore. Again Tormore is a distillery we don't see that often on the shelves as a single malt despite of its massive capacity of nearly five million liters of pure alcohol per year. It is a true workhorse for Pernod Ricard which started distilling relatively later in 1959 supplying ow single malt whisky for almost all Pernod blends especially for Ballentine's. I tried only a few expressions before mostly from 90s but have grown quite fond of it especially because of its distinct strong brewed tea notes on the palate. This one is distilled in 2010, matured in a ex-Bourbon hogshead but just before being bottled racked into an ex-Islay cask for a very short period of three months. In the end the cask yielded 287 bottles at cask strength.

Color: Pale straw, young white wine color with a persistent thin ring of tiny teardrops around the glass eventually rolling down slowly as pretty thick legs.

Nose: Pencil shavings, Bartlett pears and roasted sesame seeds. Just a hint of peat but more like a smoke: Burnt rosemary sprigs and burnt sage and drying yellow grass. Matcha and steamed milk. Water works great. Less herbal more floral now: Chamomile flowers, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and a bowl of potpourri. 

Palate: Yep... Here is the tea I was looking/hoping for: Gunpowder green tea, lemongrass and cigarette ash. Burnt sage, purple basil and green peppercorns. After adding water I get all kind of yellow spices: Ground ginger, ground coriander and mustard seeds. Young peated whisky and savory flaky baked goods.

Finish: Quite long with white pepper, lemon pepper and cardamom.

Overall: Another spirit heavy and beautiful whisky. Highly recommended. I absolutely love these reasonably priced oddball releases from Watt Whisky. They all are learning moments: What is Tormore? Is it a pun on Tomatin..? "Tomatin - No More"..? Grab a bottle and sip while googling... Is Glen Spey a made up name or a real distillery? It sure does exist and you should taste it when you have the chance. It might be hard to find one if you pass this opportunity. Thanks for the sample Watts..!

Price: £64

88/100