Tomatin 45 Years Old 1966 (The Whisky Agency)

A Tomatin single malt, selected and bottled by The Whisky Agency, a 45 year old release from 1966 and bottled at 46.1%. The outturn was 391 bottles. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. Cu Bocan takes its name from a spectral hound said to haunt the Tomatin hills.

Drawn off copper pot stills fed by the burn of the deer, for a soft, apple and pear scented spirit. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the soft make. At this great age the malt is full and mellow, the fruit deep and the oak soft. The cool, high Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation. 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.

Undiluted at 46.1%, it is layered. A soft, fruity sweetness, and the Oloroso adds figgy fruit and a warm nuttiness. The texture is soft and round, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a soft, approachable Highland malt.