The Antiquary The Finest (J & W Hardie Ltd.)

The Antiquary The Finest (J & W Hardie Ltd.) is a blended Scotch whisky. The Antiquary is one of the blends in the Tomatin group's portfolio, carrying the soft, fruity Highland character of Tomatin at its core. A blend marries malt and grain whiskies into a balanced, approachable whole.

Grain whisky lends a light frame while the malts, Tomatin among them, bring fruit and depth. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and a soft honey. The whiskies are married and rested before bottling. Cu Bocan focuses on unusual cask finishes, from sherry to wine and beyond. Tomatin stands at over three hundred metres, among the highest in the land. An old cattle drovers' road ran through Tomatin, and whisky was made here long before the distillery. The arrival of the Highland Railway in the 1890s made the distillery possible. It closed in 1906 and reopened in 1909, finding its feet over the following decades.

At 40% it is smooth and fruity. Soft orchard fruit, honey, vanilla and a gentle spice run through it, easy and mellow. It is fruity and soft, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gentle. A soft, approachable blended Scotch.