Tomatin 10 Years Old 2009 (Small Batch)

Single malt Tomatin, an independent Cadenhead's bottling, a 10 year old release from 2009 and bottled at 57.7%. A release of 528 bottles. Tomatin is the soft, fruity Highland malt of a distillery founded in 1897 near Inverness. The core is unpeated, with peated spirit made one week a year and bottled as Cu Bocan.

The spirit was distilled slowly for the soft, fruity Tomatin make, building the approachable Tomatin style. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. Younger here, it keeps a light, fruity freshness over soft honey. Long, gentle ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey and soft spice. Special releases like Decades and Warehouse 6 have marked the distillery's milestones. Cold, clean water runs down to the distillery from the hills above. Under Japanese stewardship the focus turned from sheer volume to quality. The very long fermentation is central to the distillery's fruity character.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.7%, it is rich. Apple, vanilla and a light spice, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. It is gentle and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. A fruity, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is the soft, fruity Highland malt of Tomatin.