Tomatin 13 Years Old 2011 Chairman’s Stock (Cadenhead’s) (51.3%)

Cadenhead's bottled this Tomatin, a 13 year old Highland malt from 2011 and bottled at 51.3%. The outturn was 198 bottles. Tomatin is a Highland single malt distilled in the hills south of Inverness, where the distillery was founded in 1897. 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. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and a soft apple. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper orchard fruit. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Tomatin character. 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.

At its natural 51.3% it is concentrated. Apple, pear and a soft honey, and honeyed vanilla comes through from the ex-Bourbon. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a mellow body. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is a gentle, fruity Highland single malt.