Tomatin Portuguese Collection – Moscatel Casks 15 Years Old 2006

A distillery bottling of Tomatin, a 15 year old from 2006 and bottled at 46%. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. A very long fermentation, among the longest in Scotch, builds the fruity character.

Drawn off copper pot stills fed by the burn of the deer, for a soft, apple and pear scented spirit. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper orchard fruit. The cool, high Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation. It closed in 1906 and reopened in 1909, finding its feet over the following decades. The Antiquary blend came into the group through the blender J and W Hardie. Malt is bought in, the distillery's own floor maltings having closed in the 1980s. For most of its life the distillery rarely ran to its full capacity. The make is light and fruity, easy to like and easy to drink.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and balanced. A soft, fruity sweetness, and the Moscatel brings grape, honey and a floral lift. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out the finish. This is a mellow Highland single malt from near Inverness.