Tomatin 15 Years Old Sestante Import (G&M) (59.2%)

Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, this Tomatin matured to 15 year old and bottled at 59.2%. Founded in 1897 high in the Monadhliath hills, Tomatin makes a soft, fruity Highland single malt. Water comes from the Allt na Frithe, the burn of the deer, in the Monadhliath hills.

It was run through the distillery's onion stills after a long fermentation, to build a fruity, gently spiced character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak for a honeyed sweetness. By this age the soft spirit rounds into orchard fruit and a gentle oak. The long fermentation lays down the fruit the cask then frames. 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. For most of its life the distillery rarely ran to its full capacity. 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.

At cask strength 59.2% it is full bodied. Orchard fruit and a gentle malt, and ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla and a light apple. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The close is soft, fruit over gentle oak. This is Tomatin's soft, fruity Highland style.