Tomatin 8 Years Old 2013 Cask #9130 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd selected this Tomatin, an 8 year old from 2013, drawn from cask 9130 and bottled at 53%. Only 264 bottles were released. 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. Maturation in a fortified or wine cask lent red fruit and spice. Younger here, it keeps a light, fruity freshness over soft honey. Dunnage and racked warehousing on site gives a steady 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 53%, it is rich. Pear, honey and a malty note, and the Port cask adds plum and red berry. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a mellow body. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is a mellow Highland single malt from near Inverness.