Tomatin 15 Years Old 2010 Cask #148 (The Caskhound)

From The Caskhound comes this Tomatin, a 15 year old from 2010, drawn from cask 148 and bottled at 52.1%. 241 bottles in all. Set in the Highland hills south of Inverness, Tomatin has made single malt since 1897. Today it works twelve stills, having shifted from blend volume to single malt.

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. By this age the soft spirit rounds into orchard fruit and a gentle oak. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Tomatin character. An old cattle drovers' road ran through Tomatin, and whisky was made here long before the distillery. 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.

At a natural 52.1% it is full and fruity. Apple, pear and a soft honey, and ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla and a light apple. 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.