Tomatin Batch 1 (TBWC)

This Tomatin was from the independent bottler That Boutique-y Whisky Company, a 21 year old release and bottled at 47.4%. A release of 304 bottles. Tomatin, founded in 1897 in the Highland village of the same name, was once Scotland's largest malt distillery. It was bought in 1986 by Takara Shuzo of Japan, the first Scotch distillery in Japanese hands.

Worked through onion stills for a light, fruity spirit, for the soft, fruity Highland make Tomatin is known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla beneath the orchard fruit. At this age it is rounded and mellow, the fruit folded into a honeyed body. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. The distillery sits beside the A9, the old road north to Inverness. 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.

At a full 47.4% it is bold yet fruity. A mellow, fruity character, and the ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and a soft honey. It is gentle and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. A fruity, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is Tomatin, the fruity Highland malt.