Tomatin Decades II

A distillery bottling of Tomatin, bottled at 46%. Just 3600 bottles were filled. Founded in 1897 high in the Monadhliath hills, Tomatin makes a soft, fruity Highland single malt. It was bought in 1986 by Takara Shuzo of Japan, the first Scotch distillery in Japanese hands.

Drawn off copper pot stills fed by the burn of the deer, for a soft, apple and pear scented spirit. An unusual cask gave it a distinctive, fruity character. With no age statement, it shows the soft, fruity body of Tomatin. The cool, high Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation. The make is light and fruity, easy to like and easy to drink. Special releases like Decades and Warehouse 6 have marked the distillery's milestones. Cold, clean water runs down to the distillery from the hills above. Under Japanese stewardship the focus turned from sheer volume to quality. The very long fermentation is central to the distillery's fruity character.

At an easy 46% it is light. A soft, fruity sweetness, and the wine cask lends red berry and a dry spice. 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.