Tomatin 31 Years Old 1988 Cask #6655 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Tomatin was from the independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, a 31 year old Highland malt from 1988, drawn from cask 6655 and bottled at 57.3%. Just 173 bottles were filled. Tomatin is a Highland single malt distilled in the hills south of Inverness, where the distillery was founded in 1897. Cu Bocan takes its name from a spectral hound said to haunt the Tomatin hills.

Worked through onion stills for a light, fruity spirit, for the soft, fruity Highland make Tomatin is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and a soft apple. At this great age the malt is full and mellow, the fruit deep and the oak soft. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. 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.

At a full 57.3% it is bold yet fruity. A mellow, fruity character, and honeyed vanilla comes through from the ex-Bourbon. Beneath it run apple, pear and a soft spice. It closes soft, fruity and warm. This is Tomatin, the fruity Highland malt.