Tomatin 21 Years Old 1991 Cask #12488 (C&S Dram Collection)

From C&S Dram Collection comes this Tomatin, a 21 year old from 1991, drawn from cask 12488 and bottled at 55.7%. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. The core is unpeated, with peated spirit made one week a year and bottled as Cu Bocan.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in copper stills on Allt na Frithe water, giving the light, mellow spirit at its heart. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At this age it is rounded and mellow, the fruit folded into a honeyed body. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Tomatin character. Tomatin stands at over three hundred metres, among the highest in the land. 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.

At a hearty 55.7% it carries real weight. Apple, pear and a soft honey, and the Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth. The texture is soft and round, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a fruity Highland single malt from the Monadhliath hills.