Tobermory 18 Years Old 1995 The First Editions (Edition Spirits)

A Tobermory single malt, an independent Edition Spirits bottling, an 18 year old from 1995 and bottled at 51.9%. A release of 208 bottles. Tobermory is the unpeated single malt of Mull's only distillery, founded in 1798 in the island's painted harbour town. The stills carry boil bulbs and an S shaped kink in the lyne arms, which raises reflux.

Distilled from unpeated malt in kinked copper stills on soft Mull water, giving the oily, fruity island make. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, vanilla under the orchard fruit. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper, waxy fruit. A patient maturation suits the oily, fruity Tobermory character. Its painted home town gives the unpeated malt its name. A rare, more heavily peated make has appeared under the name Iona, after a neighbouring isle. In dry summers the distillery has paused when its hill loch ran low. The distillery sits at the head of the bay, beneath a steep wooded hill.

At 51.9%, undiluted, it is rich and deep. Orchard fruit, wax and a nutty note, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. A baked apple and a nutty note lift it. Wax and ripe fruit see out a long finish. This is Tobermory, the unpeated malt of the Isle of Mull.