September 2024 - Loch Lomond, Islay and the Isle of Mull

Welcome back to another installation from Mr Dram Man, and another month of cracking drams. This month we are sampling a Loch Lomond Chardonnay cask finish, a Mac-Talla Terra from Islay and a 23yr old Tobermory by Master of Malt. Before I move on, lets check on which dram from last month was the favourite.

Edradour 10yr old	78%
Spey Tenne	0%
Oak & Palomino & Oxidation & Sitting	22%

A clear favourite there from Edradour.

To kick us off we have a special edition single malt from Loch Lomond, released to celebrate the 152nd Open taking place at Scotland's Royal Troon and crafted with the distillery's golf ambassador Colin Montgomerie. This is a first in terms of a chardonnay cask, not just for the subscription but for myself so I am quite excited to see what it imparts on the whisky itself. The nose presents zesty lemon peels and fresh apple intertwined with floral vanilla pod, orchard blossom, and juicy pear. On the palate, it remains fresh and fruity, offering generous notes of apples and pears alongside soft apricots and a drizzle of floral honey. The finish is marked by elegant oak char, complemented by hints of spiced pastries and a touch of delicate smoke. A really pleasant and enjoyable dram, really easy drinking and at a good reasonable price too. 91/100

Advice here, if you’re drinking all of these in one night, save this one til last, mainly because you don’t want those peaty phenols over-powering the 23yr old Tobermory. The Mac-Talla Terra whisky opens with a nose of fresh sea air, smoky barley, and citrus notes, intertwined with warm hay, dusty furniture in an old stately home, turf, and a hint of sea breeze. On the palate, the whisky delivers salty sea spray and clean woodsmoke, layered with waves of earthy black pepper and peat smoke, all gently balanced by touches of sweet vanilla, green apple, and pear, hints of medicinal iodine tickle the senses. The finish lingers with smoky oak cinders, complemented by subtle notes of soil, and saltwater taffy, leaving a clean and crisp impression. Now, the average price for a bottle of good enjoyable peated whisky nowadays is £55+ and this comes in just under that at around £45 a bottle and it holds up well. 89/100

Our final dram is a 23yr old whisky from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, and for those with kids or some children’s TV history, the same location that “What’s the story in Ballamory?” was filmed in. This has been laid to mature in a refill hogshead, as a refill this means that a lot of the intense flavours have been extracted out of the wood from say a virgin oak barrel, which makes the maturation process a steadier process for higher aged whiskies. The nose opens with juicy barley and runny honey, accompanied by dried pineapple dusted with cinnamon, it’s very ‘summer evening’; out on the patio; feeling that last bit of summer sun dip down.  On the palate, the tropical fruit notes continue, that grilled pineapple coated in cinnamon continues through, like the one you get at a Brazilian steak house, niche I know. Elements of ripe banana, complemented by generous servings of chewy toffee – the mouthfeel is very waxy and coats the whole mouth. The finish introduces a touch of spiced Jamaican ginger cake, spiced apple, and elements of rich oak. I really enjoyed this, it doesn’t disappoint, and really holds its own, as an indie bottle from Master of Malt too it is great value for a 20+ year aged whisky. 92/100

Until Next month Slainte!