As part of a late summer release cycle Scotland’s Tomatin distillery, besides debuting the final expression in its limited run of single cask whisky bottlings tied to its Cù Bòcan Scotch, has brought to market a rather unique pack offering comparing two different barrel types. Known as Tomatin Contrast, it is a limited edition project with only 5,400 being released globally, except for in the USA.
Tomatin Contrast, according to the whisky brand, contains a pair of 350 ml, 46% ABV bottles each containing a vatting of casks from 1973, 1977, 1988, 1991, 2002 and 2006. One of the vattings is from ex-bourbon casks and the other from ex-sherry casks.
“It is well accepted that up to 70% of the final flavour of Scotch whisky is derived from the cask it was matured in,” said Tomatin distillery manager Graham Eunson in a statement. “We wanted to directly compare the effect of different casks on the same whisky – the actual contrast between these two whiskies is far greater than we had anticipated. These are two incredible whiskies which consumers will enjoy comparing side by side in their own home.”
Official tasting notes for the two bottles in the Contrast pack are below courtesy of Tomatin. Expect to pay around £100, or about $157 USD, for this non-chill filtered release.
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READ THE STORYThe Bourbon vatting is said to deliver notes of golden syrup, honey, lemon, almonds and vanilla on the nose, with notes of pineapple chunks, raspberries and icing sugar on the palate. Whilst the Sherry vatting is said to deliver notes of toffee-apple crumble, Christmas pudding and raisins on the nose, with notes of cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns and thick cut marmalade on the palate.
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