Tomatin 34 Years Old 1976 The Perfect Dram (The Whisky Agency)

This Tomatin was from the independent bottler The Whisky Agency, a 34 year old from 1976 and bottled at 51.9%. Only 396 bottles were released. Set in the Highland hills south of Inverness, Tomatin has made single malt since 1897. The distillery was founded in 1897 by a local company, taking its name from the village, Gaelic for hill of the juniper.

The spirit was distilled slowly for the soft, fruity Tomatin make, building the approachable Tomatin style. A sherry cask wrapped the soft spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At over thirty years it is rich and mellow, tropical fruit, honey and old oak. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the fruity, malty core over time. Cu Bocan focuses on unusual cask finishes, from sherry to wine and beyond. 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.

At cask strength 51.9% it is full bodied. Apple, vanilla and a light spice, and raisin and a nutty sherry depth build. It is gentle and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. A fruity, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is Tomatin, the fruity Highland malt.