Lord of the Highlands 2009 WhK (Whiskykeller)

A Tomatin single malt, selected and bottled by Whiskykeller, a 13 year old from 2009 and bottled at 47.2%. Just 120 bottles were filled. Set in the Highland hills south of Inverness, Tomatin has made single malt since 1897. The core is unpeated, with peated spirit made one week a year and bottled as Cu Bocan.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in copper stills on Allt na Frithe water, giving the light, mellow spirit at its heart. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the fruit. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, apple and a soft spice. Years in oak round the spirit, the orchard fruit deepening with age. Under Japanese stewardship the focus turned from sheer volume to quality. The very long fermentation is central to the distillery's fruity character. The distillery sits beside the A9, the old road north to Inverness. Cu Bocan focuses on unusual cask finishes, from sherry to wine and beyond.

At a hearty 47.2% it carries real weight. Apple, pear and a soft honey, and the Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle. The texture is soft and round, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a soft, approachable Highland malt.