Tomatin Limited Release 14 Years Old 1997

This Tomatin, an official release, a 14 year old Highland malt from 1997, drawn from cask 2549 and bottled at 50%. Only 240 bottles were released. Founded in 1897 high in the Monadhliath hills, Tomatin makes a soft, fruity Highland single malt. Water comes from the Allt na Frithe, the burn of the deer, in the Monadhliath hills.

It was worked through onion stills for a light, fruity spirit, for the soft, fruity Highland make Tomatin is known for. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the soft make. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, apple and a soft spice. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. Special releases like Decades and Warehouse 6 have marked the distillery's milestones. 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.

At a full 50% it is bold yet fruity. A mellow, fruity character, and the Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth. Beneath it run apple, pear and a soft spice. It closes soft, fruity and warm. This is Tomatin, the fruity Highland malt.