Tomatin 17 Years Old 1990 Cask #7716 (Blackadder)

This is a Tomatin, chosen and bottled by Blackadder, a 17 year old Highland malt from 1990, drawn from cask 7716 and bottled at 59.1%. Only 275 bottles were released. Tomatin is a Highland single malt distilled in the hills south of Inverness, where the distillery was founded in 1897. Today it works twelve stills, having shifted from blend volume to single malt.

The spirit was distilled slowly for the soft, fruity Tomatin make, building the approachable Tomatin style. A refill bourbon cask held it, keeping the fruit to the fore. By this age the soft spirit rounds into orchard fruit and a gentle oak. Long, gentle ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey and soft spice. 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.

At a natural 59.1% it is full and fruity. Apple, vanilla and a light spice, and the ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and a soft honey. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. It finishes soft, fruity and clean. This is the softer side of the Highlands.