Today was an extra special day of advent for me. Because I was invited to do the tasting with @singlemaltsnob on Instagram! What a great way to celebrate the fourth day of advent, enjoying and sharing our experiences with today’s dram live with other whisky lovers.
Behind door number four we found society cask 105.40: The Sweet Kiss of Leather Splinters. This marked my first experience with Tormore, a whisky that’s most commonly used for blends such as Long John and Chivas Regal. Let’s find out if this dram leaves me wanting (Tor)more.
Tasting Notes: Society Cask 105.40 “The Sweet Kiss of Leather Splinters”
ABV: 66,2% (132,4 proof)
Age: 8 years old
Distillery: Tormore
Bottled By: the Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
SMWS Flavour Profile: Juicy, Oak & Vanilla
Chill-filtered: No
Natural Colour: Yes
Nose:
The nose of this dram was a true rollercoaster. Throughout the experience there where thick layers of honey and vanilla on the nose. But where the scents could be described as akin to Werther’s original, when we enjoyed the dram neat. It shifted more toward a coffee style hard candy with a couple drops of water. But then when we added even more drops, it turned back into Werther’s once more. In its most diluted state, I started picking up on some green tea notes as well.
Palate:
On the palate we were both surprised by the lack of burn. For a dram at 66,2 % it’s no slouch in the ABV department. Yet we found the dram rather mild considering. The honey from the nose stayed strong on the palate but there’s also a little sour note that’s close to a balsamico. Neither of us have been able to detect the leather that’s in the name, the thing that comes closest to a leather note is some faint hints of tobacco. There are also thick slices of rye bread covered in old school thick molasses noticeable on the palate, which altogether gives it a very full and rounded mouthfeel.
Finish:
Throughout the experience water has had an immense influence on the flavour, and it’s not difference with the finish. Where neat it’s mainly the Werther’s that linger, with water a dark roast espresso note starts to shine. It never becomes unpleasant though. With water tannins start to show up on the finish as well, but it’s subtle enough and balanced out by the honey. Oddly enough the finish becomes longer with a couple drops of water added and more rounded as well. Something to truly savour.
Verdict:
Even though neither of us was able to detect any leather in this dram, I won’t be taking any points of for that. Because this was yet another gorgeous dram. I’m left very impressed with the flavours that we were able to discover in this merely 8 years old dram. Coincidentally, Tim (@singlemaltsnob) had another 8-year-old Tormore on his shelves, with a vastly different nose, palate and finish. And that just goes to show what an amazing spirit whisky is. Not a single cask is the same and tonight was yet another great exploration of our beloved dram.
Rating:
87/100
How did I know this was a Tormore? Just look at the code and find it’s match in my SMWS bottle codes list!
