 Brian’s “backyard” |
 Speyside |
 Tobermory Waterfront |
What do Fairwinds, Speyside and the Isle of Mull have in common? Well, all three offer incredible views! All are ideal locations for those who share an affinity for fine single malt whisky to gather and imbibe.
For our September gathering, 9 members of the group assembled at Brian S’. home to sample another two of Scotland’s finest, #’s 156 and 157 since the group formed back in 2016. Brian presented two interesting and well received single malts, one from Speyside where roughly 50% of Scotland’s single malts originate; the other from the only distillery on the Isle of Mull.
First up on this evening was the Tobermory 12 Year Old
“Released in early 2019, this 12 year old single malt from Tobermorey was launched in celebration of the distillery returning to life after two year break this expression slumbered peacefully in American whole cast for a dozen years before being modelled at 46.3% ABV.” So says the Master of Malt web folks. A winner of numerous awards including a Gold at the 2022 International Spirits Challenge and a Silver from the 2029 Scotch Whisky Masters here is one set of tasting notes (again provided by the Master of Malt crew).
- NOSE: pair, peach and apple, with a dusting of brown sugar. Greek yogurt, barley pastries
- PALATE: rounded malt notes, touch oily, hearty helping of stone fruit sweetness
- FINISH: A flash of orange peel, soft sawdust (seriously), toffee and dates
At 46.3% ABV this dram can be found at Strathcona Liquour on Douglas Street in Victoria and all in is priced at $118.00
Brian’s second selection, the Tomintoul Seiridh, is described by the Master of Malt folks
this way: ” … the name ‘Seiridh’ (pronounced “sheh-ree”) comes from the Scottish Gaelic of sherry, and as such, it was finished in first fill Oloroso Sherry butts after initial ageing in American Oak Bourbon casks. Master distiller Robert Fleming hand-picked Sherry cask from a family in Andalusia Spain. He picked very well! This dram is a limited edition with 6000 bottles distributed worldwide.
Typical of most drams that spend time in sherry cask, the tasting note for the Seiridh reflect sweetness one might expect.
- NOSE: nutty barley and soft red berries, with a touch of mocha underneath
- PALATE: Christmas cake richness, supported by toasted can, toffee into spicy clove
- FINISH: red liquorice, coffee, butterscotch inflamed orange remain
Like our first tasting of the evening, the Tomintoul Seiridh has received Gold at competitions including the International Spirits Challenge in 2020, and the Scotch Whisky Masters for “Speyside No Age Statement” also in 2020
At 40% ABV this dram can also be found at Strathcona Liquour on Douglas Street in Victoria and all in is priced at around $100.00
Our monthly WeeDrammer gatherings are never complete without wonderful appies. 
Tonight was no exception; cheese, cold meats, salmon with cream cheese, fruit, nuts, pate olives … , all added to a great evening. Oh, did I mention the chocolate? An absolute ‘must’ when sampling Scotland’s finest.
Another successful tasting! Thanks Brian
submitted by Ron Windrim
