Tomatin 11 Years Old 2006 Cask #725 (The Whisky Chamber)

The Whisky Chamber bottled this Tomatin, an 11 year old from 2006, drawn from cask 725 and bottled at 56.3%. The outturn was 296 bottles. Set in the Highland hills south of Inverness, Tomatin has made single malt since 1897. A very long fermentation, among the longest in Scotch, builds the fruity character.

Drawn off copper pot stills fed by the burn of the deer, for a soft, apple and pear scented spirit. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the soft make. Younger here, it keeps a light, fruity freshness over soft honey. The mellow make leans on the cask for much of its colour and flavour. It closed in 1906 and reopened in 1909, finding its feet over the following decades. The Antiquary blend came into the group through the blender J and W Hardie. Malt is bought in, the distillery's own floor maltings having closed in the 1980s. For most of its life the distillery rarely ran to its full capacity.

At a hearty 56.3% it carries real weight. A soft, fruity sweetness, and the Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle. It is fruity and soft, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gentle. This is a gentle, fruity Highland single malt.