Tomatin 18 years

Score: 60

Tomatin 18 Year Old is a Highland single malt that walks the tightrope between indulgent sherry richness and elegant distillate clarity—and it does so with remarkable poise. Bottled at 46% and finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, it’s a dram that delivers on both depth and balance. From the first nosing, you’re met with a hefty Oloroso influence: dried fruits, dark chocolate, and a swirl of baking spices. It’s rich, yes, but never overwhelming. The sherry casks bring weight and warmth, but they don’t swamp the distillate. Instead, the core spirit shines through with exotic fruit notes, peaches, apricots, even a touch of melon, especially toward the death, giving the finish a surprising lift. On the palate, it’s velvety and full-bodied. Chocolate orange, honeycomb, and ginger mingle with nutty undertones and a whisper of leather. The finish is long and peppery, with just enough oak dryness to keep things grounded. If you’re looking for an affordable 18-year-old with plenty of sherry, chocolate, and fruits, look no further. Tomatin 18 is a masterclass in balance, generous without being cloying, mature without losing vibrancy. A dram that earns its age statement and then some.