Tomatin 12 Year Old

I think it's damned good inexpensive Scotch. I don't know where the one star turpentine people come from, probably from the same place. I tried it on a whim and found it delightful. Almost as good as the Balvenie 12, but I can buy 2 bottles of Tomatin for what one bottle of Balvenie costs

24th March 2020

I was recommended this bottle while asking for a fruity whisky, having previously enjoyed Black Bush and Glenfiddich 15 solera. I figured (wrongly) that the sherry finish of this Tomatin was going to win. I taste too much alcohol to the point of it seeming chemical. Another reviewer said 'Anbesol' and I couldn't agree more. Turpentine is present among the flavours one usually expects (vanilla, fruit, nuts, wood). It does possess an oily character, there is some caramel, butter but overall the harsh alcohol ruins it for me. Like drinking hand sanitizer? I expected more for $60 cdn and I feel lied to by the salesman. He called it complex and I suppose it is, but in the wrong ways. Shame really, he sounded convincing with all those adjectives... Won't buy this again you can be sure.

31st January 2020

Decent low-cost scotch. Definitely improves with a few drops of water and being allowed to breathe for a few minutes; it mellows it out and allows dried fruit and ginger to come through the otherwise rather strong fresh-cut wood flavors, and you can pick up on the figgy elements of other highland scotches. The finish is a little on the hot side and is grassy and malty. This is definitely not as refined as other highlands on offer, but since it’s forty or fifty dollars cheaper than most of them, you probably won’t care.

10th December 2019

One of the most underrated Speysider, to be honest. I don't want to tell about it's particular flavor and aroma profile, because everyone can feel and taste different, but what I can tell for sure is Tomatin 12 has it's very own character, easy to drink, fruity and perfect go to whisky for everyone. Good solid single malt and one of the best for your buck.

4th December 2019

I am not anywhere near well-versed in high end single malts. I run the gamut fromInver House (which is brilliant) to Dewars to Curry sark and Ballantine’s. High end blends like Monkey Shoulder and Chivas and maybe Johnny Walker. That said, I occasionally select a low end single malt and I would certainly recommend Tomatin 12-year old. Smooth fruitiness and no harsh alcohol backwash make this a superb selection.

13th September 2019

Normally drink speysides but this is something else entirely. Dont even know what to compare it to. Really smooth on the palate with some fruity notes coming in. The finish is amazing really creamy and long with a oily aftertaste.. In short youll either love it or hate it

9th August 2019

Refreshing 12 year old, head and shoulders above any 12 year old that I have tasted.

14th June 2019

Loved this. Finished the bottle in no time. Really was my cup of tea. Would but this over many others.

18th May 2019

Not complex. I agree with the gentleman below in that I find the nose unremarkable. Easy dram to drink. Perhaps some fruity vanilla on the palate and a fairly easy-going finish. Simple.

15th February 2019

I recently tried the Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon cask, and I must say this is very similar, super!

13th February 2019

Smooth and well-balanced overall. There is a hint of something - leather? that's a bit unusual both on the palate and in the finish, but not off-putting to me at all. It compares well with other malt and malt blends in this price range. Finally, though no one else seems to sense peat or smoke, I do a wee bit. It's not Bowmore 10 or anything for peat flavor, but I taste it.

20th November 2018

Interesting, the nose is nothing special, just smells like alcohol, comes on strong with tanginess and fruitiness with ambesol in the background, ends pretty icky and burny. As far as budget scotches go, this is alright. I suggest spending an extra $20 on something better.

17th November 2018

This is my "go to" whisky for home use, either if I have guests or just looking to end the day with a drink, - this whisky is just perfect!

14th October 2018

I won’t profess to being an expert or connoisseur of single malts. I do however know my way around a bourbon shelf.
Tomatin 12 doesn’t resemble a bourbon except that they are both liquid in form. I was in search of a Scotch and something different and didn’t wish to break the bank. One can pay in excess of $85 US for a good bottle of Scotch but you don’t have to with Tomatin 12. It has very good essence and if fulfilling at the price point...

15th September 2018

The alcohol overpowers the flavors. Adding some water helped, a little.

14th September 2018

I have to agree with the others who felt that it had hints of turpentine and that it was quite astringent. It was a gift gift. Personally, I prefer the peatiness of the Islay.

6th August 2018

Somehow, the Legacy seemed smoother. This had an astringency on the nose, but the I could detect shortbread, leather, toffee and vanilla.
The palate was buttery with citrus, and after a few drops of water it became sweeter and the vanilla notes became more pronounced.
The finish was a long, malty finish with leather and pecan. A minute later I could still taste the leather.

23rd June 2018

Wow. Great value in the sherry & vanilla & heather taste range....not much smoke or spice, but you won't find a better 12 yr old single malt in the sweeter flavour profiles. Decent finish, good oiliness and mouthfeel. At 43% it can handle a few drops of water or a whisky stone (not that I ever use one)

11th June 2018

Decent single malt with some good maltiness, but the 18 is much better for not that much more!

29th January 2018

Not bad, citrus and floral on the nose..... nutty first wave of flavor transitioning to leather and cinnamon, and finishing with a slightly astringent qualities...... for a 12 year it is of a high quality, but I am biased towards highlands. Interested in the 15 and 18 next...

21st January 2018

I quite like it. Lots of fruit, for sure. Citrus on the nose. Others have said candied apple, and I get that, too. It's much more interesting than most things in this price range. For about $35, I'm happy with it.

15th December 2017

Pretty sharp finish. Not for the faint of heart.

17th November 2017

What a delicious whisky, especially for that sort of money.
Stewed apples, dates, figs and moistened Christmas Pudding. Very easy to drink, and at the much more appreciated 43%.
What's not to love at this price ?

3rd November 2017

Just had my first taste of Tomatin 12yrs old Marvelous , a real whisky for anyone . Full of flavour that lasts all the way. Will definitely be savouring again.

24th October 2017

not my kind of whisky! tasted grass and leather.. to far from Ardbeg 10, I do love smoky whisky.. should say that it was a gift. they did obviously not now my kind of whisky. So probably great for someone else!!

20th October 2017

Well I like it a lot, rich and fruity. Do not recognise two of the critical reviews, way off the mark

15th October 2017

Notes of turpentine, very slight vanilla and a hint of leather; this Scotch is what I imagine what gasoline would taste like if it were aged for 12 years. For a Highland it's harsh and unforgiving. Though the copy on the box says it's known for its balance and patience it tastes like they started with the cheapest of grains and just let it sit for awhile. I'd hate to taste what they started with. Save your taste buds and spend another $30 on a Macallan 12.

10th August 2017

If you like turpentine this is your drink. I would rate it just below cheap cologne. Bottling something this bad should be illegal. Charging money for it definitely IS. Calling it scotch disgraceful.

20th May 2017

Great whiskey for the value. You get what you pay for and this is what you should expect, An easy all-nighter like someone said eralier in the comments.

26th March 2017

Fine for the price. A whiff of sherry, a hint of flowers, but mostly tastes of oak, and has a bourbon-ish character. Fairly sweet, light but not lightweight, maybe some salt. Nothing special, but a serviceable drink with a clean finish and nothing out of place.

7th March 2017

Not bad at all...I got this 'on sale' for around $30. Definitely worth the price. It's not as good as the other Highland scothces in the $40 range, but I guess that's why it's $30! I prefer the 'Glens' a bit more, but it has a fruity taste and hardly any bite. An overall decent scotch. I'd buy again and keep it on hand as a change up.

11th February 2017

Not bad at all... got this 'on sale' for just around $30. It's worth the price but defenetly not up there with the other $40-$45 highland scotches (I prefer the 12 yr old Glens much more). I guess that's why it's $30! But, it's sweet and has that fruity taste with no alcohol bite. Decent overall...I'd buy again for that price.

11th February 2017

Neutral to the nose with some cedar-like sweetness and light peat. Definitely no "bite" or much of an aftertaste. If you want a price driven single malt that is completely inoffensive, start here.

26th July 2016

Value for money.

20th June 2016

Got this for $27 and I am very impressed tastes just as good as things I've spent double that on, nothing particularly special about it just a very smooth fruity dram nice and oaky too maybe just a slight hint of salt on the finish.For the price probably my new favorite will be buying this again.Also my bottle looks very different from the one on here looks like the picture of the 18 year and I like it more wasn't a fan of their presentation before so I never tried them but now I am a fan. The Sugarbear

9th May 2016

Tomatin have got it spot on !! Excellent whisky at fair affordable prices !! Way too mutch elitism with many of the so called big boys of Single malt .

13th March 2016

This is a sweet, easy to like Scotch whisky for a low price. I didn't find anything objectionable about it. I saw it on sale for less than 32.00 per 750 and thought I'd give it a try. Glad I did. Add a few drops of Talisker and stump your friends.

16th January 2016

Fabulous

3rd December 2015

No complaints here...good flavor and interesting but easy to drink in any setting. My more experienced friends agree this is one tasty dram, regardless of the price.

18th July 2015

Relatively new to clean scotch but this one is incredible even for me either on the rocks or neat or with a whiskey rock or two. Smooth and easy to drink and experienced tasters agree, doesn't get much better at this price point.

18th July 2015

This is a good 12 year old. It has a nice malty flavor that fills the mouth. Cirrus and orange notes. I drank it with ice a at 22.00 dollars which is rinsplash of water. Priced right too at $22.

27th May 2015

Did a vertical tasting of the Tomatin 12, 15 and 18 in one evening and to my surprise, I liked the 12 best! ( will do a second tasting of them all independently though just to be sure). Took plenty of time between tastings and cleansed the palate as well to ensure one didn't influence the other...here's what I got:

Surprisingly minimal alcohol on the nose for a 43% ABV I thought. I got a marzipan-ish, dried fruit (dates) and sweet honey aroma with the palate yielding all the same. Finish was mild, sweet and smooth and was medium in length. Tried again with a splash of distilled water as well (as this was the first tasting) and found that overall, water didn't do much to this dram so I will drink it neat. (FYI - water DID do more to open up the 15 & 18 year olds... at least for me.)

11th April 2015

Low priced 12 YO. The nose is harsh and chemically. It does make a good whiskey and soda. For the price it would be a good everyday scotch and soda whiskey.

22nd March 2015