Tobermory 14 Years Old 2007 (SMWS 42.71)

A Tobermory single malt, bottled by Scotch Malt Whisky Society matured to 14 year old from 2007, drawn from cask 42.71 and bottled at 58%. Only 237 bottles were released. Tobermory is the unpeated malt of the island's only distillery, founded in 1798 by John Sinclair. Its history is famously broken, with long silences; the buildings once held holiday lets and stored cheese.

Distilled from unpeated malt in kinked copper stills on soft Mull water, giving the oily, fruity island make. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the waxy fruit lead. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper, waxy fruit. A patient maturation suits the oily, fruity Tobermory character. Both malts feed the Scottish Leader and Black Bottle blends as well as single malt. The distillery was refurbished and its stills renewed between 2017 and 2019. Mull's maritime climate works into the maturing casks over the years.

At a full 58% it is intense and layered. Orchard fruit, wax and a nutty note, and the refill bourbon lends a quiet vanilla. Beneath it run orchard fruit, wax and a soft nut. The close is long, fruit over a soft oak. This is Tobermory, the unpeated malt of the Isle of Mull.