Tomatin 12 Years Old 2011 Cask #TWC 0305 (The Whisky Chamber)

From The Whisky Chamber comes this Tomatin, a 12 year old release from 2011, drawn from cask TWC 0305 and bottled at 55.9%. Just 277 bottles were filled. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. The distillery was founded in 1897 by a local company, taking its name from the village, Gaelic for hill of the juniper.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in copper stills on Allt na Frithe water, giving the light, mellow spirit at its heart. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the soft make. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper orchard fruit. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Tomatin character. 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.

At a full 55.9% it is bold yet fruity. Apple, pear and a soft honey, and the Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out the finish. This is a fruity Highland single malt from the Monadhliath hills.