Tomatin 27 Years Old 1988 Anniversary Edition Volume 5 (Daily Dram)

From Daily Dram comes this Tomatin, aged 27 year old from 1988 and bottled at 57.3%. Set in the Highland hills south of Inverness, Tomatin has made single malt since 1897. Water comes from the Allt na Frithe, the burn of the deer, in the Monadhliath hills.

It was made in copper stills from unpeated barley, for a fruity, mellow make. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. At this age it is rounded and mellow, the fruit folded into a honeyed body. Sherry wood suits the soft make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. 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. The very long fermentation is central to the distillery's fruity character. The distillery sits beside the A9, the old road north to Inverness.

At a full 57.3% it is bold yet fruity. Pear, honey and a malty note, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. 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.