Thompson Brothers Whisky Sample Tormore 1992 28 Year Old UK 2020 Release (30ml, 47.3%)

Tasting Notes

Nose: Remarkably complex and "antique." It opens with beeswax, paraffin, and polished mahogany furniture. Then comes a wave of dense fruit: yellow apples, apricots, and nectarines. There’s an intriguing herbal lift—think dried chamomile and sage—balanced by a deep, sugary base of honey cake and orange blossom water.

Palate: Round, syrupy, and incredibly balanced. The arrival is oily, leading with Granny Smith apples and waxy citrus peels. Mid-palate, it turns toward "oriental pastries"—notes of rosewater, pistachio, and filo pastry soaked in honey. There is a savory, mineral depth underneath, with hints of chalk and wet slate, accompanied by the nostalgic crunch of a Toffee Crisp bar.

Finish: Long, elegant, and waxy. It leaves a lingering trail of lemon peel, herbal tea, and old leather. A final, surprising puff of distal woodsmoke (or perhaps just very old oak) provides a drying, sophisticated end.

Why it's special

• The "Waxy" Factor: Like its Sutherland (Clynelish) cousins, well-aged Tormore develops a mouth-coating waxiness. At 28 years, that texture is fully realized here, making it feel luxurious on the palate.

• The "Hidden Balvenie" Comparison: Many critics have noted that aged Tormore of this quality mimics the honeyed, floral profile of middle-aged Balvenie, but with an added layer of "industrial" waxiness that adds complexity.