Tomatin 12 Years Old 2009 (Discovery)

A Tomatin single malt, selected and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2009 and bottled at 43%. Tomatin is a Highland single malt distilled in the hills south of Inverness, where the distillery was founded in 1897. 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. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and a soft apple. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper orchard fruit. The cool, high Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation. 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. 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.

At 43% it is gentle, fruity and mellow. A soft, fruity sweetness, and honeyed vanilla comes through from the ex-Bourbon. It is fruity and soft, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gentle. This is a soft, approachable Highland malt.