But is it any good? | Tomatin Legacy REVIEW

I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Tomatin distillery in the highlands today. This is the Legacy, which is their NAS budget offering. It's been recommended to me several times. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
Music: freemusicarchi...

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff last time I bought the legacy it was €19, had to pick it up and was positively surprised, decent dram and although its entry level its at 43%. Another entry level bottle that’s a decent dram is Glen Moray peated (40%) at€20, simple but no off notes. Cheers for your honest opinions Geoff, slàinte.

[@Gwhisky]

I don't think I've ever seen a peated Moray. Sounds interesting. Moray is a hit-or-miss brand for me, but they do have some solid offerings and always great value. Cheers David! Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@jamiemercer4927]

Hi Geoff. I'm really enjoying your reviews at the moment. I've got lots of peat and Campbeltown bottles (and expensive) open at the moment and was just craving something simple and bright for a change. I've just bought a bottle of Legacy on the strength of this review and its surprisingly good for the price. £28 locally for me. Keep up the good work. 🥃👍

[@TheExpeditionUK]

it's certainly got that distinctive single malt flavour, which is perfect for anyone who is upgrading from blends. this is actually the cheapest sm you can buy in Tesco. the first couple of sips are sweet and clingy, almost like FRijj but after a few sips real flavour kicks in. your entire mouth is treated to an expanse of whisky flavours without any bitter or harsh notes, as others have said. you get vanilla, caramel, fruit, even chocolate. it's still got some gel-like mouthfeel which is slightly weird. there's a slight anesthetic effect, a bit like Ricard. I would definitely buy again, perhaps will try the 12 year next, but it is nowhere near my favourite single malt Aberfeldy.

[@GlenLossie]

Very much agree that the Legacy is a very decent single malt perfect for no-fuss occasions and ideal in a hip flask at a football game or a picnic in the park. Bought several bottles when it appeared on sale for less than $35 Canadia.

[@bobdobolinaa]

I picked that bottle up for 20 euro's at a budget liquor store. Fun summer sipper. Maybe a theme for a next video?😉

[@Gwhisky]

Summer-themed video is a great idea! 💡

[@catnapgee5357]

I quite agree with you about this whisky. I had it roughly a year after the start of my whisky journey, and I really liked the nose, though even then, I can tell that this is truly a "budget" whisky. It wasn't bad till about 2 thirds the way down, then became a chore to drink. What I remember, the good, the bad and the ugly.. the good was the nice pineapple and marshmallow notes I got, the bad (and I suppose the ugly) was this ever-present bitterness on the finish. Needless to say, I won't be going back to legacy, I'm with you on Tomatin, not much character, and just doesn't do it for me.

[@Gwhisky]

I think I like it more than you, although I won't be buying it over and over again myself. It was a pleasant one-off, though. Cheers.

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

In Bulgaria this one goes for ~20 euros and right now it can be had for ~18 euros on special sale. IMHO, for 43% single malt scotch, easy sipping, inoffensive, with no obvious off-notes, it is a great offer. Head and shoulders above supermarket blends Perfect for sharing with someone who is not too deep into whisky too. I like Tomatin. Yes, the spirit character lacks obvious "hooks" and flashy notes but Tomatin is not all single malt producer. It's a huge industrial complex providing millions of liters of spirit that go into blends, independent bottlers, etc. It has to be clean, sweet and inoffensive. And it is. The rest is clever cask play. Sometimes the results are fine, sometimes not so much. I fully agree with the recommendation of their Cask Strength release. Legacy is but a taste of what Tomatin malt can be but the Cask Strength release is the one that fully shows the spirit off. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

The cs is good, as is their 18. Not much flash to the brand, but I agree they can put out some good stuff. 18 Euros for this is totally fair. Glad it's one you enjoy!

[@johnvuela1211]

Have you ever tried the cask strength? Seems an interesting one. Thank you very much for another well articulated review.

[@Gwhisky]

I've had it. It's batchy, but good bang-for-buck. Thanks for watching! 🥃

[@GrotrianSeiler]

What’s so appealing about these videos is your unbiased bias. It’s classy. And your shout out to James Bond. haha I look forward to more Benromach reviews. Their house style is very intriguing. It’s a regular repeat purchase for me.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you're enjoying the Benromach. I have one bottle on the go that I have yet to review. That would be the Contrasts: Peat Smoke. Interesting stuff!

[@Atthapong15]

Thanks for the Tomatin review! I really like the Tomatin 14 Port Cask and it's on sale for 45 euros right now so that's a steal. Time for a revisit?

[@Gwhisky]

I'll see if I can find a bottle of it! Cheers!

[@JR-nl3mh]

48 € - 72 €, in Portugal

[@precariousdave]

Very fair review.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks!

[@ronaldtheriot]

Hey, I've been enjoying my 750ml bottle.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad to hear it. Solid easy sipper! 🥃

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

A quite lovely wee bargain buy this one and I much prefer it over the 12, which didn't impress me either. Cheers.

[@Gwhisky]

Great minds think alike, eh? 🥃

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Interesting take on Tomatin. Different from my experience - I am pretty excited about what I had from them. But then: What I had from them was never a core range bottle - Distillery bottlings, yes, but always special stuff with some kind of finish. I have to add: I always bought these because they were recommended to me or because a description of the whisky made clear to me that it would be my thing. Also: There is that suspicion that different qualities are available in different markets - and there are those who allege that the Nederlands and Germany get better stuff … All these may be factors why I am so much more excited about Tomatin than you seem to be - in addition to personal taste.

[@Gwhisky]

Could be! Either way glad you're a Tomatin fan. I'd be very interested to try some kind of special vintage or finished stuff from them. I've seen bottles like that in shops before but never picked them up.

[@cliffo7702]

I got a bottle of this recently. Won't be my last bottle. Really good.

[@Gwhisky]

Nice! 🥃

[@carlmartinlinder]

I urge you to try the 18-Y (newer bottlings) it is fantastic. Honestly on my top-10 list of al whiskies (very few people agree with me on this but I love it)

[@Gwhisky]

I've got an open bottle on the go...

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Definitely in the Tomatin 12 tastes weird group. This one is fine and a good choice for a hot weather highball or ginger ale.

[@Rohit_M]

I went through a bottle of Tomatin Legacy 4-5 years ago and it is/was one of the better introductory whiskies. I liked the virgin oak influence in that bottle. Ofcourse you get spoiled overtime and move on. Your score is fair and justified G.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks Rohit. Well said. I admit I'm spoiled at this point, but I can still appreciate the basics when they hit nicely and have decent value.

[@isidoro8566]

I love the Tomatin Legacy. I find it to a be full-bodied full-flavour fruity fresh & slightly sweet whiskey. and with the 43% abv it carries quite a punch! very drinkable and delicious. gonna open a new bottle tonight...

[@Gwhisky]

Agree, very pleasant guilt-free everyday sipper. Enjoy Kushi!

[@isidoro8566]

@@Gwhisky cheers mate. Incidentally, would be interested to know your thoughts on Monkey Shoulder- one of my favourite blends. there's also a peaty version- Smokey Monkey - which I don't like.

[@jockmcallister]

As far as what we find on supermarket shelves here, Tomatin legacy would be a go to for us, I’d be somewhat of of a tomatin fanboy, it’s pretty local to us, the 14 is a stonker. 18 is always on the shelf but recently I’m struggling with it at the price and CS is worthy of note. Steady stream of single cask bottlings available from the shop also, at reasonable prices I think.

[@Gwhisky]

Never tried a single cask. I definitely need to revisit the 14, and I'm enjoying the 18. Not a favourite brand of mine, but they can make good stuff for sure!

[@catnapgee5357]

btw, here in cananda, craigellachie 13 is currently on sale for $49.99 at craft cellars! And the other day I missed my chance to get the Arran 18! Such limited qualities with that gem.

[@Gwhisky]

CAD $50 is a great deal for Craigellachie 13! I haven't been able to find an Arran 18 bottle here in Taiwan for well over a year now. Really hope they can get more output for that bottle.

[@ConcaCon]

Super fair rating, I'd agree with it. For a few bucks more, you can get a Deanston Virgin Oak, that will be better presented. But as a budget offering, it's really solid value.

[@zoltanlakoyt8665]

Deanston Virgin Oak is a completely different flavor profile. The 2 can’t be compared. I like both tho.😎

[@Gwhisky]

I like the Virgin Oak! For me it's a better whisky, but it's also a few bucks more in my market.

[@benjamin-df2qv]

Mate, tomatin legacy is easier and good then proper 12?

[@PSNeko]

Had a sample of this and loved it. But i also enjoyed the 12!

[@Gwhisky]

Tomatin fan! Nice!

[@AleDegustation]

Really nice, fruity, juicy with distinct woodiness on the nose. Refreshing energetic with wave of spiciness and darker finish where woodiness coming back adding some taninic accent. £25.00 is like a bargain. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah good budget dram for sure. Cheers! 🥃

[@AlinJapan]

This might be a good one to experiment with by adding some other whiskies to it.

[@Gwhisky]

Never been one to "layer" my whiskies, but it would probably lend itself nicely!

[@j.g.6601]

From a Taiwan view, it's hard to justify reaching for this when the under NTD1000 category has so many quality age-stated products. Prefer the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Amontillado Sherry Cask, Glenlivet 12 Year Old Rum and Bourbon Cask, or even JW Green Label at this price point. Browsing one of the local shops, I discovered that Taichung Distillery (TTL) has 2 initial wheat whisky releases - a sherry cask and a bourbon cask. Have you had an opportunity to sample these?

[@Gwhisky]

I'd agree there are better under-1k options here in Taiwan. This is decent, but yeah, the ones you mentioned are better. I've had the bourbon and sherry Omar releases from TTL, but I've never tried their wheat whisky.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I haven't seen this bottle in years, but the last time I bought Dualchas/Legacy @43%, it was about $27 and delicious, and yes, it was better than their 12 IMHO. If I ever see it again for less than $35 I'm going to pick it up.

[@Gwhisky]

I'm surprised it's not a common sighting for you. Thought it was pretty widely available in most markets. But yeah... pick one up. Not a killer, but great value and easy sipping!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@Gwhisky Oh, it was in heavy rotation back in the day, but as I've lamented so often, NYC sucks when it comes to Scotch selection.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@Gwhisky I just picked up a bottle for 31 bucks.

[@Gwhisky]

@@MrChristopherMolloy Awesome! Good one to have around for the summer!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@Gwhisky and I picked up a bottle of Orchard House, another good summertime whiskey!

[@tombryan1]

Not complex, no surprise, i realize that it costs a lot, but you have to get into the 25 to 30 year old or more range with this distillery.

[@Gwhisky]

Im sure theyre fantastic. Something to remember when I'm rich and famous. Cheers! 😂

[@raypoke83]

Which better legacy vs aberfledy 12?

[@Gwhisky]

Sadly I can't say, as I haven't had Aberfeldy 12 in about 10 years.

[@benmarnoch4111]

It’s chill filtered.

[@iancrombie8862]

For £27..its quite good..dont expect too much...

[@nachtjager77]

Just got my first bottle, to me, it's far too sharp and too harsh to be a good sipping scotch. If I had to compare it to anything, Johnny Walker Red or plain label Dewer's, both of which I absolutely hate. It has a decent finish, but the flavor is too brash and you're right, it has too much "sting" or "pepper" to it for a casual sipping scotch. For a cheap scotch, the Glenmornagie 10 year old bottle is infinitely better, and the base-line Jura is even far better than this and generally cheaper whenever you can find it. I won't be buying more of this stuff, even being cheap, there are plenty of better options out there.