Tomatin 12 Years Old (40%)

This Tomatin, an official release, a 12 year old Highland malt and bottled at 40%. 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.

Distilled slowly for the soft, fruity Tomatin make, building the approachable Tomatin style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and a soft apple. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, apple and a soft spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the fruity, malty core over time. The make is light and fruity, easy to like and easy to drink. 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.

At 40% it is smooth and fruity. Apple, vanilla and a light spice, and ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla and a light apple. Beneath it run apple, pear and a soft spice. It closes soft, fruity and warm. This is Tomatin, the fruity Highland malt.