Celebrating the new Tomatin Year of the Horse
We are on the threshold of the Year of the Horse. This year of the Fire Horse starts tomorrow, on 17 February, and runs to 5 February 2027. The Horse is one of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs and this one is number seven. Looking at the state of the world, and the description of the elements of the Fire Horse, we are in for a turbulent year, since it is described as ‘high energy, enthusiasm, and potential for rapid change’. If the change is for the good, I would not mind it to start sooner rather than later!
Tomatin has released a special single cask for the Year of the Horse. They are by no means alone in this initiative, as I also saw other producers focus on this Chinese cultural event. This one however reached my tasting table, so here we go!
Tomatin 2011, Year of the Horse, bottled at 56,5 % abv
First things first: Matured in a First Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butt, distilled on 10 February 2011. This is cask # 37607 and the yield was no less than 817 bottles!
Upon Sipping: Contrary to what you might expect, the colour on this Tomatin Year of the Horse is not too dark. The smell offers the perfect hybrid between the creamy, fatty Tomatin spirit that can get very luscious, and the influence of the PX cask with fermenting fruit, strawberry cream and strong whiffs of heather. A nice smoky edge lingers in the background. The big butt has had a positive influence on this Tomatin, by making it mellow and balanced. Almost … zen?
The sherry influence is more pronounced on the palate, with a creamy sweet arrival, that changes into an oaky hint of chocolate on the tongue, before a smouldering exit all on orange zest and peppery spices. With a little water, the Tomatin Year of the Horse turns a bit more vegetal, with earthy notes and that heather again. Is heather not the quintessential highland characteristic? I get more and more seduced by this bottling. Water in any case brings out more of the spirit, and bypasses the casks a little, but the balance between the wood and the malt whisky is just fine. With every sip, you get new impressions, and the overall element of fire is well-captured in this single cask. It is not difficult to see why this one was chosen for the Chinese new year!
Word to the Wise: One of the better modern Tomatin I have tasted in a while! The PX plays nice with the mature character of the spirit, and together they elevate this bottling to a higher plain. For anyone who celebrates, this is the perfect companion to the start of the Year of the Horse!
Score: 88 points.