Tomatin 15 Years Old 2010 Cask #1121/2010 (The Old Friends)

The Old Friends selected this Tomatin, a 15 year old Highland malt from 2010, drawn from cask 1121/2010 and bottled at 55.5%. The outturn was 316 bottles. Founded in 1897 high in the Monadhliath hills, Tomatin makes a soft, fruity Highland single malt. 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. A refill bourbon cask held it, keeping the fruit to the fore. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller honey and ripe fruit. The cool, high Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation. 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.

At 55.5%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A soft, fruity sweetness, and the bourbon cask adds vanilla and a gentle sweetness. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a mellow body. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is a mellow Highland single malt from near Inverness.