Tobermory 14 Years Old 1994 Cask #DL 4444 (Douglas Laing)

From Douglas Laing comes this Tobermory matured to 14 year old from 1994, drawn from cask DL 4444 and bottled at 50%. Only 331 bottles were released. Tobermory, the unpeated malt of the Isle of Mull, comes from one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. Water comes from the Gearr Abhainn, a private hill loch above the town of Tobermory.

The spirit was made in the high reflux stills from unpeated barley, for a fruity, waxy make with a green lift. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, wax and a riper orchard fruit. A waxy texture carries the cask flavour across long years. Burn Stewart revived production in 1993, and Distell bought the distillery in 2013. The stills carry boil bulbs and a kink in the lyne arms, which lifts the reflux. Water is drawn from a private hill loch, the Gearr Abhainn, above the town.

At 50%, undiluted, it is rich and deep. Pear, oily malt and a green note, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. A green note and a gentle spice give it depth. A long, waxy finish carries a green lift. This is the fruity side of the Isle of Mull's distillery.