Tasting notes·Tobermory

Tobermory 12 Years (2017)

The Tobermory Distillery may not be as well-known as the big names from Scotland, but its whiskies have a charm all of their own. The Tobermory 12 years, released in 2017, is an exciting representative of the distillery. With its 46.3% ABV and no chill filtration, it promises an honest, natural bottling.

The panel

Marcel
78
Sascha
78

Mean 78.0 · spread 0

Value for money 3/5

Distillery
Tobermory
Type
Single Malt
Region
Isle of Mull
Country
Scotland
Age
12 years
Strength
46.3% ABV
Character
delicate

Tasting

Nose

The nose surprises with a beautiful combination of tart notes and sweet warmth. There is a hint of spruce, as if you were walking through a Scottish coniferous forest. The whole thing is accompanied by solvent-like flavours that are not disturbing, but rather exciting. These are joined by caramel and honey, which lend a pleasant depth. If you take a closer look, you will also discover milk buns and juicy cherries - a really interesting and complex flavour.

Palate

On the palate, Tobermory 12 starts with a malty sweetness that is wonderfully accompanied by a light sherry note. Red fruits emerge, a hint of apple pie and a subtle citrus freshness that balances the whisky beautifully. Meanwhile, a gentle dryness reminiscent of forest honey prevails. The mouthfeel is pleasant, but could do with a little more power for some.

Finish

The finish is of medium length and brings with it a beautiful combination of bitter oak, cocoa and vanilla. The light cinnamon note is particularly exciting, which becomes noticeable at the end and leaves behind a warm spiciness.

Verdicts

Marcel

With its charming blend of sweet cherries and spicy cinnamon notes, the Tobermory 12 Year is a genuine pleasure to drink that leaves you wanting more – especially for those looking for something a bit different. A little more punch in the alcohol would have done it some good, but it scores points for its honest character and easy drinkability.

Sascha

The Tobermory 12 Year displays a remarkable balance between sherry influences and austere wood tones, with the 46.3% ABV providing a clean structure. Despite a slight complexity, it lacks a bit of intensity and depth to rise above a solid level.

What it is worth

We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Tobermory as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.

£1£10£100£1k£10k2005200820112014201720202023

Latest mean bid £137 across 95 lots · 2024-08

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2025-05-08.