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Auction: SC001 - Going the Whole Hogshead - Spink in association with Cask 88: Whisky - e-Auction
Lot: 2

Tomintoul 2011

Distillery: Tomintoul
Region: Speyside
Age: 10 years
Distillation Date: 6th October 2011
Cask type: Refill Bourbon Hogshead
Peated?: Unpeated
Re-gauge ABV: 60.10%
Re-gauge Litre of Alcohol (RLA): 128.9 litres
New bulk litres: 214 litres
Re-gauge Date: 22nd October 2021
Bottles: 305 bottles
Cask Number: 180

Cask Description

The Wood

This refill bourbon hogshead is a signature cask for maturing Tomintoul's gentle spirit. There have been several examples of one off Tomintoul bourbon casks being bottled with enormous success: Most recently, to celebrate 30 years at the distillery, Robert Fleming hand selected an ex-bourbon cask similar to the one we have here, and bottled it in its sixteenth year of maturation in conjunction with Royal Mile whiskies, cask strength at 60.4%.

"The 16 year old has always been a favourite of mine."
Robert Fleming, Tomintoul Master Distiller (2020)

The Spirit

Tomintoul is situated in the stunningly scenic and prestigious Glenlivet estate, tucked away between the Cromdale hills, close to the village, its namesake. The surrounding ecosystems provide the perfect natural resources for whisky production and the water source for this distillery, the Ballentruan spring provides the cleanest Highland water for all of the whisky crafted at Tomintoul. Tomintoul's tagline is 'The Gentle Dram' and single malt releases from Tomintoul still bear the prefix 'Glenlivet', a nod to its geography but also as a mark of quality, once used by over 30 distilleries across Scotland.

The Masters

History and craft are two words that spring to mind when considering Tomintoul in the last three decades and at the heart of that is Master Distillery Robert Fleming, who in 2020 celebrated 30 years at the distillery and a staggering 46 years in the whisky industry. This impressive legacy is one he shares with his forefathers, the Flemings have been making whisky in the Speyside region for four generations.

'I started at Tomintoul in April 1990 and before that I spent 16 and a half years at Glenlivet but it has flown past'
Robert Fleming, Tomintoul Master Distiller (2020)

The Verdict

This cask is an excellent example of 'The Gentle Dram' and showcases the craft of the Tomintoul distillery, whose focus on single malt production under the watchful eye of Robert Fleming over the last three decades has seen the brand's popularity increase significantly in this time. The recent focus on single malt releases means that there is little aged stock of Tomintoul and this cask offers a fantastic opportunity for continued maturation; even after 10 years the cask was filled, the re-gauge and bulk volume are extremely strong.

Tomintoul 2011
Date Sample Taken: 22/10/2021

Nose:
More intense than I'd expect from Tomintoul - cherry bakewell with extra marzipan. And a bounty bar… but the milk chocolate has been nibbled off, and the coconut centre has been dipped into white chocolate. A little bramble squashed between the fingers rounds it off. A drop of water reveals… is that eucalyptus?

Palate:
A long day of hiking has led to this: a cereal bar with a punch of assorted nuts, grains, dried fruits and a yogurt coating. More tropical yields with more water; papaya, guava and salak. Definitely not dry on the palate, but not fully sweet either - this is balanced and interesting.

Estimate