Dark and mysterious corner
I’m back again, and this time with a bottle that feels like it doesn’t really want to tell its story. Just a name, a label, and a quiet presence on my dad’s shelf. It was covered in dust when I located it in the dark corner. Old Thomas blended Scotch whisky. I tried digging around online before opening it, and honestly… there’s almost nothing. No proud distillery history, no romantic backstory, no master blender interviews. Just something that it’s made for Baltic countries specifically. That mystery alone made me curious. Sometimes whiskies like this surprise you the most, because you don’t come in with expectations shaped by marketing or hype.
Blended Scotch Whisky
Old Thomas is blended Scotch whisky, and that already sets the tone. Blended Scotch whisky often gets unfair treatment, especially from people who only chase single malts. But blends exist for a reason. A good blend can be comforting and in many ways smoother than single malt whiskies. Also, blended whisky gives amateur blenders a good place to start since it’s not that time-consuming and expensive.
Tasting notes
In the glass it shows a rich amber color. The legs are steady at 40%, nothing dramatic but enough to suggest some body. The bottle design plays its part too, that timeless barrel look instantly puts you in a classic whisky mindset. It doesn’t promise innovation, it promises tradition.
On the nose it opens floral, roses coming through first, soft and friendly. Then it turns into something very familiar and comforting: breakfast cereal with milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon. There’s sweetness here, brown sugar mostly, giving it a cozy, almost morning kitchen-like aroma. Nothing aggressive, nothing sharp, just easy and inviting.
The palate is creamy, which I liked right away. Flavors lean spicy and floral, and the balance sits between sweet and spicy. This is where it starts to divide opinions a bit. The spice ramps up quickly, and while it gives warmth, it might be a bit too much because it doesn’t allow the drinker to enjoy the creaminess too long. Suggest to just drink it quickly and not hold it too long in your mouth.
The finish lands somewhere between medium and long. Dry apple shows up, not too bitter, leaning more towards sweetness. Emotionally, this is where I felt slightly let down. The nose promises comfort, but the palate comes in hotter and spicier than expected. It’s not bad, just a bit surprising, and maybe even intimidating for someone new to whisky.
Whisky sausage
I paired it with whisky sausage, and honestly, that saved the experience. The fat from the sausage smooths out the spice and makes everything feel more balanced. Since the sausage itself is whisky-infused, it doesn’t overpower the drink, and the pairing actually makes sense. This feels like the kind of whisky that wants food next to it.
Rating & Feedbacks
Overall, the signature trait here is the longer-than-expected finish. It lingers more than you think it will. The people I imagine enjoying this most are hunters, builders, or anyone outdoors in winter with a flask in their pocket. A long “hot” whisky that gets the blood flowing, warms the throat, and pairs perfectly with a few slices of sausage. This is not a sit-and-analyze whisky, it’s a companion whisky. But you have to take into account that it is too spicy and not that smooth because of that which you expect from quality blended Scotch whiskies.
DWB rating: 6.5 out of 10.
Happy New Year to everyone reading. I wish you all a great year ahead, full of good drams, new discoveries, and moments worth remembering.
DiamondWhiskey 