Not sure what to make of it | Tobermory 12 REVIEW

[@jackdeedman5344]

This is my favourite bourbon cask 12. It is very malty and tastes like it has a touch of sherry but it doesn't. I love my sherry so this explains why I love it soooo! The 17 year old sherry is great at cask strength mmm

[@Gwhisky]

I'd love to try that 17! 🥃

[@sambrewster8556]

I found this enjoyable but a little sweet for my taste. Bought a bottle for my 96 year old grandmother though and she's a big fan!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah well if Granny's enjoying it then it certainly isn't wasted. Gotta respect a woman who still appreciates the finer things at 96. A raised glass to your grandmother! 🥃

[@thee_blardo]

Tobermory stands out to me as having a singular taste profile. At one of our local AMOGSCASMWTS meetings I found a funk that was like old shoes in the best possible way. Love Tobermory .. have not had the recent 12

[@Gwhisky]

Glad that you like the profile, and love that you're throwing around the term AMOGSCASMWTS like we're gonna know what that is. 😂

[@josephdevine8768]

Very funny, honest review. Tobermory is now more intriguing than I had imagined. I look forward to trying it. Thanks Geoff.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you liked the review. Fingers crossed you like the whisky, too. Cheers Joseph, thanks for watching! 🥃

[@axelvonwu2378]

One of the few bottles I always have in my cabinet … next to the Bunna 12, probably my 2nd most drunken whisky. Lovely dram.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you're a fan! I can't deny that it's good quality. Just not one I connect with. Cheers! 🥃

[@axelvonwu2378]

@@Gwhisky If I had one tasting request for you, it would be the 15 year old Glen Garioch Sherry Cask matured. It’s fairly priced (70-80€) always available here in Germany, comes in at cask strength and checks all my smell & taste boxes. It’s a Christmas market in your mouth. In case it’s also available in your area, I would love seeing a review of that bottle.

[@NickVolk]

👌🤝

[@ConcaCon]

I've had it a few times. It has some peculiar bubblegum notes, but I enjoy it slightly chilled with one ice cube. I gave it an 83. Classic "good, not great" territory for me.

[@Gwhisky]

It seems I'm a more generous scorer than you, but that pretty much sums up how I feel about it! 🥃

[@Rohit_M]

Well at least you are consistent on this one Geoff. Pretty straight forward whisky and not the one that can blow you away but sometimes that's all you look for at certain times of the year. With all those floral note, it's more suitable in the summer for me.

[@Gwhisky]

That's fair. It's got enough first fill influence for me to work all year round. For me sometimes it suits the mood and sometimes it doesn't, regardless of the season season. Cheers Rohit! 🥃

[@TheReal_DeanD]

These have now jumped up to $109 by me. Thanks again for saving me $$

[@zebcarvalho3294]

Thats funny i felt the same way you feel for this as i felt for the Ledaig 12 but the Ledaig Rioja cask was amazing

[@pfalzgraf7527]

I did like the one I had a lot! The herbal note I love, the bitter contributed to it being interesting. We'll see if a future bottle will be different!

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you're a fan. For me it's not a favourite, but it's certainly good quality stuff!

[@lewisduffy675]

A very fair and entertaining assessment Geoff. Tobermory website states natural colour. I always assumed there was some sherry influence there given the fruit and spice. Shows how much I know! ;) I get some candy notes, like strawberry skittles. Where I'm at this is still one of the best value naturally presented 12's on the market, but with all that said I want to love it more than I do. Good, not great. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks for the info, Lewis. Glad to have the natural colour confirmed. I can see how you'd get some sherry in this. It's got some pretty heavy fruity notes that aren't conventional bourbon style. If I tasted it blind I might have thought so myself!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

Certain distilleries just lend themselves to making peated spirit. There's nothing wrong with Tobermory, it's good stuff, but Ledaig is just so much more interesting. Imagine two beautiful twin sisters, but one is a clerk and the other is a MMA fighter that teaches pole-dancing class at a school for the blind. That being said, I've only ever had this 12yo Tobermory, and a younger Octave cask strength version, which was considerably more interesting, but perhaps older versions of Tobermory are worth exploring? I'm pretty sure they bottle an 18 which I think is still decently-priced for 2022.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I'd definitely buy that 18 if I came across it. Even though I'm not in love with the 12, it's still a brand I'd like to explore more. Lol... mma fighting pole dancer, eh? 😂🥃

[@silverlochwhiskyreviews6157]

I am a big fan of their 15 year old 46.3 % ABV expression which I don’t think they make anymore. Wish they bring it back 😋

[@Gwhisky]

That 15 was pricey, but fantastic! 🥃

[@bluesmanen1]

I had one bottle about a year ago, I quite enjoyed it. I think I agree with the score, but maybe one point up because it's a really good price tag on it, even i Sweden!! An interesting whisky with a good price and high quality. I'll probably buy it again sometime.

[@Gwhisky]

Fair enough! Even though its not a favourite, I've repurchased it myself precisely because it's interesting and well-priced. 🥃

[@beatroot_red]

Great whisky. Absolute staple.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you like it!

[@bertko1710]

"I'm not impressed, but I don't regret the experience." I nearly had the rice-shooting moment in a public restaurant 😂😂🤣🤣

[@Gwhisky]

🤣🤣🤣

[@SaltyCuban]

Glad I saw this. Had this on my soon to buy list. I hear you though, what one person thinks is odd , another might like. I think I’d like it. Since it’s a little controversial I will wait a bit on this one. Plus I’d have to buy online because locally it’s pricey ($95)! From what I’m hearing, not quite worth that. I could get it for about $30 less overseas (ironically).

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah you might love it, you might not. Hard to say. Can't deny the quality, but it should definitely be priced as an entry level whisky. Probably smart to wait on it. Cheers Salty!

[@groberti]

Great review, on point! I feel the same about it. I can feel that it is a good, quality scotch but very mood driven. Sometimes it hits a home run and sometimes it feels a bit too floral, herbal for my taste. I do think that your previous bottle was the odd one out of these. Looking at the label it states: GENTLY sweet, unpeated, floral

[@Gwhisky]

Yup. Sounds like we're on the same page!🥃

[@ninetyZeven]

That original shelf was * legit * tho.

[@Gwhisky]

That's why I ditched it. Was hogging too much of the spotlight. 😂

[@argytar]

Tried the IB iteration as a 9 yo which was really nice! Now I got the 12 and I really like the funk! It is not Ledaig, but I like it as a summer dram!

[@dairyyang5457]

Actually I was impressed, and I don't regret the experience......of your light speed style video.🤣🤣 Not a big fan of Tobermory 12, though I guess less-sweet and bitter herb note make it more inclined to my preference.

[@Gwhisky]

Lol those old vids were so bad! Strange. I can't tell why I don't connect with this one. I really think it's good, but doesn't have the "wow factor." 🥃

[@murduk88]

Manky seawater is what Tobermory 10 tasted like to me, which I actually loved, but at $84 US, I'm struggling to grab a bottle of the 12. Sounds like it is fairly similar to the old 10 (manky seawater = vegetal). Thanks for the review. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Oh wow that's a steep price for this, buddy. I'd probably pass. For reference, it's about USD $30 here. 🥃

[@pedrohcmenezes]

Tobermory 12 is a nice dram buts it's not as nice as the old 10yo was. The 18yo is still the highlight of the core range. I agree with you that Ledaig is more interesting than Tobermory... Really nice review!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks, buddy! I haven't tried the Tobermory 18. Sadly it's nowhere to be found in my market...

[@rshore081]

Always appreciate your reviews Geoff, had this on my buy to try list, but here in NZ it's more expensive than the Deanston, Bunna and Tamdhu 12, which are my staples, so think I'll swerve and save for another higher priced favorite.

[@Gwhisky]

Might be a good call. Thanks for watching, Rick. 🥃

[@carlmartinlinder]

My thoughts also. How come the Ledaig 10 is so good while the Tobermory 12 is mediocre?

[@Gwhisky]

For me not mediocre. I see the quality and I see a unique character. I just... don't engage with it. Seems I'm not alone thinking so...

[@toddcraw4127]

It. seems so meh. Ledaig is great though.

[@furuyashinichi3211]

I believe new Ledaig is made from Isla malt.

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

Lack of too enthusiastic reviews and relatively high price (48-49 euros in Bulgaria) have been keeping me away from Tobermory 12. Whenever I have almost been ready to pull the trigger on it, something else always has popped ahead of it. I have no doubts about it being perfectly well wade and competent malt, but I just can't afford all the time, money and liver needed to taste each and every whisky on general principle of it being craft-presented :) I've had all its "siblings": Bunnahabhain 12, Ledaig 10 and Deanston 12, and liked them all enough to buy second bottles. Plus all of them are slightly cheaper :) So, I'd rather look for a miniature/sample or wait for a special sale on this one. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

I'd say that the "siblings" you mentioned are all either better or more interesting. Yeah... nothing wrong with this but I can understand why most reviews, mine included, are less than enthusiastic. If you're a selective shopper, then by all means skip this one if it doesn't interest you. Cheers buddy!

[@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424]

The Madeira 17 is good stuff

[@Gwhisky]

I'm intrigued. Never seen it here, sadly. 🥃

[@howardbecdove9780]

Thankfully I don’t have to deal with your ambiguity on this one😅. I have already bought the 12 &17. At the moment though,they remain unopened - we limit ourselves to 37 opened bottles, (exactly what fits in the kitchen drawer) out of fear of being judged too harshly by most of or visiting friends, that cast their eyes over so many half consumed whiskies on open display.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah! Love that! I have my opens proudly displayed. Love showing them off, although I probably should have put them away before the gf's dad visited last month! 😂

[@alexandermitev5189]

first :) me and my girlfriend love this whisky(its even one of her favorites :Dd) we’ve enjoyed it even more than the ledaig 10 which is also very nice! can’t wait to try some more stuff from Tobermory and ledaig! PS not fist second darn it 😢

[@Gwhisky]

Hah glad you guys enjoy it. I think it's a great whisky. I wish I connected with it a little more. The quality is definitely there! Cheers!

[@alexandermitev5189]

@@Gwhisky i think there might be big batch varations because i know some people who love it and some who really dont( which means i need to get me a second bottle just to be sure ^^)

[@MrMBBM]

I watched part of that first review on 0.75x speed. It was pretty much your regular speaking speed. 😁 There’s two Tobermory whiskies in Oregon: Tobermory 12 for $114.95 and Tobermory 17 for $130. So a hard no for the 12. At least by price comparison, I guess it would make some sense to try the 17, but $130 is more than I’m willing to spend on a bottle of whiskey at this time.

[@Gwhisky]

Damn that's entirely too much for the 12!

[@peatbull3426]

As a Ledaig big fan i just wanted to try Tobermoryv12 as weIl so ordered sample of it and GlenScotia 15. Must say that GS is a good quality malt and nice sipping for a day dram but nothing special for me, not enough to buy full bottle. Tobermory 12 was solid, has unique character, really impressed me, was better and better with every next sip. I planned to buy full bottle but is bit pricey £40+ so every time other cheaper expression is a winner. If i get it on sale at Ledaig price definitelly buy a bottle. Nice review by the way very informative as always and so funny 😂. P.S. i just bought a bottle of Ledaig Sinclair Series and im very impressed. So nice good balanced with beautiful colour whisky for me. Just wandering what are your thoughts about this one. As a sherry lover you should like it. Did you try it? 😁🥃🙋‍♂️

[@Gwhisky]

Oh man I've been dying to try that Ledaig Sinclair. I've heard nothing but good things about it. Sadly it's not sold in my market and I've never had the chance to try it. I've been considering ordering it in from the UK. We'll see. Thanks for watching and for the kind words, Peatbull!

[@tomtomtommyism]

similar conclusions ....nice enough... but I wouldn't call it a memorable bottle.... maybe if I'd tried it earlier....maybe if I'd tried it before the Ledaig and not because I was so very impressed with the latter for £33 that I ordered it more or less straight after.. as a result I was expecting a bit more and thought the distillery notes would hit me more/in a more pure way than that it did in an unpeated version... hence slight personal disappointment perhaps... still a decent malt but won't revisit unless everybody bangs on on how it has got better!

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

You had style? What happened?😉🤣Only joking mate. Seriously, love your content. Not had a Tobermory yet, but I'll get there. So much to get through, so little time (especially when you're an auld codger like me!) Have a great weekend mate.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah! Love your content, too, Al! Yeah Tobermory is an interesting one. It's pretty divisive. Can never tell if an enthusiast will love it or hate it until they try it. Hard one to predict... but worth checking out. Hope to see you review it someday!

[@DileepB]

In my area the Ledaig 10 cost 25% less than the Tobermory 12.

[@Gwhisky]

That's madness!

[@PSNeko]

I'm on the same page with your review. I like it but it's not a hero for me. Sometimes very good and sometimes meh😂

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah very mood-based enjoyment. 🥃

[@ironmantran]

i see : kinda like me saying i dont like no whisky, just scotch . . . (many thanks, lol )

[@louisdanao]

I'm not impressed and I regret buying it. Huhuhu I came in with very high expectations as I was very impressed with Ledaig 10. I hope its just the batch that I got.

[@Gwhisky]

Does seem to be prone to batch variation. Sorry to hear you didn't like it.

[@furuyashinichi3211]

I liked ten Soda!

[@b.benjamineriksson6030]

I'm glad you laid off the coke. Good job

[@George-wf7vk]

For this price you can take a better one. Arran 10 is way better

[@indianpeathead2043]

Easy no for me because of how its priced in my locality. $100 for a 12 year old.

[@Gwhisky]

Damn that's steep. Definitely too much.

[@gareth630]

Now the old 10 yr was hit and miss, when it was good it was great, when not good s**t. this 12 yr which I love, I find is more consistent from batch to batch ( IMO ). Surprised you didn't get that dry tobacco, salt caramel finish ;-) Agree with Rohit regarding suitable for summer.

[@Gwhisky]

That old 10, man. Some were rough. This is definitely a step up. Yeah a good summer sipper with the florals. For me the the heavier first-fill notes make it OK at basically any time of year. Just gotta have it in the right mood, it seems. 🥃

[@gordonhall9943]

yea, shit. lol still don't know if I should try it. lol

[@WhiskyLock]

So no more than 4 redbulls and 6 lines of coke before recording? Thanks for the tip! I must admit that I've never been impressed by tobermory despite never disliking a Ledaig even going back to the 'bad old' baby sick days. It's... fine...! But not the kind of thing I'd buy or get excited by. I feel like our opinions are pretty similar but you're being slightly more polite than I would be ;-) Regarding colouring it's possible that your last bottle was coloured but this one is natural. I was at the distillery in 2018, they were banging on about chill filtration so I asked them about colouring and got the reply: "we do add a little, but you can't taste it at all". I did my best to suppress my rage... They announced a little while back that they were dropping the colouring though and the website now states that. Interestingly I checked my notes and I gave the old 10yo Tobermory a C+ but the new 12yo just scrapes a C from me. In my notes it states that the distillery told me that the new 12yo is the same as the old 10yo but 2yrs older and with some virgin oak in the mix. Which possibly explains some of the herbal notes you're getting and likely explains why I like it less. Cheers! 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

I remember that old Tobermory 10! It was never to my liking, although I'll admit I don't really recall how it tasted. I had the dumpy old green bottle before they modernized the bottle shape and the label. The most memorable thing about it in my mind was just how forgettable it was. Yeah... I've since checked the website and seen that no colour is added nowadays. Good to see that. You'd think I'd have bothered to check! Regardless, yes, we're on the same page. A brand that simply fails to impress. Strange, as this should be up my alley. Oh, and I'd suggest no more than a modest 2 Redbulls and 4 lines. 😉

[@CharlesOffdensen]

Ledaig's color is not natural is it? It just can't be. If you look at the independent bottlings of Ledaig it is so, so pale. I very highly doubt that this is natural color either. Just most 10-12 year old Scotch whiskies are very pale. This just can't be natural.

[@Gwhisky]

The website states this is natural colour, though. Suppose that counts as the horse's mouth. Always baffled why that kind of thing doesn't get a front and centre spot on the label though..

[@evanhayes5891]

What on earth do apple skins smell like? Like apples?

[@Gwhisky]

Apple skins...

[@evanhayes5891]

@@Gwhisky You're gonna make me skin an apple like a crazy person just to smell it, and when it smells like normal apple I'll have to skin it some more, but this time be sure that there's no flesh at all on the skins?!