Tomatin 12 Years Old

A distillery bottling of Tomatin, aged 12 year old and bottled at 43%. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. Water comes from the Allt na Frithe, the burn of the deer, in the Monadhliath hills.

It was 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. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper orchard fruit. The cool, high Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation. The arrival of the Highland Railway in the 1890s made the distillery possible. 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 43% it is supple and fruity. A soft, fruity sweetness, and the Oloroso adds figgy fruit and a warm nuttiness. It is fruity and soft, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gentle. This is a soft, approachable Highland malt.