Tomatin 38 Years Old 1965 Cask #20944 (Duncan Taylor)

Bottled by Duncan Taylor, this Tomatin, a 38 year old from 1965, drawn from cask 20944 and bottled at 51.5%. Just 199 bottles were filled. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. A very long fermentation, among the longest in Scotch, builds the fruity character.

Worked through onion stills for a light, fruity spirit, for the soft, fruity Highland make Tomatin is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. At over thirty years it is rich and mellow, tropical fruit, honey and old oak. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. It closed in 1906 and reopened in 1909, finding its feet over the following decades. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 51.5%, it is rich. A mellow, fruity character, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. 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.