Tomatin Cask Strength (NAS)

Yet another (relatively) unfamiliar distillery - Tomatin, owned and operated by the Takara Shuzo Corporation, which is the largest manufacturer of traditional shochu liquor in Japan. I've had a couple samples of their 12 year in the past, but it's been a while. The experience is somewhat like seeing the same strange guy or girl at different parties from time to time.

Most of Tomatin's output goes into blends like Antiquary and Talisman (I've had neither). This is their no-age-statement cask strength offering, matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry. 

I don't have a lot to say about the distillery or the provenance here; it's bottled at 57.5% ABV, which is fantastic. Let's explore: 

Nose: A surprising and somewhat enchanted smell of kettle corn (!). Popcorn and caramel. I suspect the popcorn is really a sherry thing... and, indeed, when I let the glass sit and sit and sit some more, the popcorn note dissipates and is replaced by a lovely sherry note: toasted nuts, leather, sweet vanilla, dollops of honey, and a landslide of caramel. A nice mix of the sherry and bourbon notes here. Very sweet overall. 

Mouthfeel: Thin but silky, oily. 

Palate: Wow, the alcohol really sweeps through here. Powerful blast of ethanol, followed by shortbread, marzipan, salted almonds, tons of vanilla and caramel, and a nice rich honey note. Super sweet. If you added chocolate, it would be something like a Payday candy bar. 

Finish: Some wood notes, peanuts and peanut shells, and more vanilla sweetness. Medium length. 

Verdict: Really a surprisingly nice whisky - sweet as the day is long, but rich sweetness. For an almost totally unknown distillery, this is quite surprisingly delectable. Recommended for sure.