Tobermory 9 Years Old 2008 Cask #900156 (BB&R)

A Tobermory single malt, released by Berry Bros & Rudd, a 9 year old from 2008, drawn from cask 900156 and bottled at 65.3%. Tobermory is the unpeated malt of the island's only distillery, founded in 1798 by John Sinclair. It is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, and the only one on its island.

It was made in the high reflux stills from unpeated barley, for a fruity, waxy make with a green lift. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla beneath the fruit. Younger here, it keeps a fruity, oily freshness with a herbal lift. Sherry wood suits the oily make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. 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 a natural 65.3% it is bold and full. Pear, oily malt and a green note, and the ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and a soft honey. A green note and a gentle spice give it depth. Wax and ripe fruit see out a long finish. This is the fruity side of the Isle of Mull's distillery.