Tomatin
When it comes to Malt whisky there are a number of brands that are instantly recognisable - the likes of Glenfiddich, Macallan and Ardbeg to name but a few, however, quietly in the background there are a number of distilleries that are gaining a foothold growing in status, like Tomatin.
Situated southeast of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, Tomatin, is one of the biggest of the small brands if that makes sense. Although the whiskies produced are generally Highland in style, the sheer diversity (and their amazing quality) is something that we feel is quite unique. Even the core range is amazingly good and represents great value for money, which in this day and age of financial constraint, is always welcome.
Explore the range below and join the revolution - you will be glad you did!
Tomatin Legacy 43%
Aged in Bourbon and Virgin Oak Casks Re-Tasted: Nov 2016 Fresh and citric aromas with a light grassiness and barley notes, followed by sweet vanilla oak and some subtle grainy and toasty oak notes. Pleasantly fruity and balanced with emerging apricot and banana.
The palate is slightly gristy and vanilla’d, opening with the grippy, spicy oak and followed by luscious apricot and barley, which balances the oak well. Long and mineral with a mouth-watering spicy twang.
Tomatin 12 year old 43%
11 1/2 years in first and second fill bourbon, followed by 6 months in first and second fill Oloroso.
Tasted: Nov 2016 The nose begins with the fresh citrus and lightly grainy barley. Herbal and slightly coffee’d sherry follows and comes through quite strongly. With time subtle menthol and milk chocolate aromas appear.
The palate opens with a touch more chocolaty and treacly sherry with gentle dried fruit notes. It moves into herbal Oloroso territory before the vanilla and slightly grainy oak and mineral notes come through on the finish. Long, with lingering subtly balked fruit, floral apricot and barley. That extra 3% alcohol gives it a really intense finish.
Tomatin 18 year old 40%
16 years in first and second fill bourbon, followed by 2 years in second and third fill Oloroso. Re-Tasted: Nov 2016 Succulent aromas of raisins, sultana, prune and dusty sherrywood. It opens to show a subtle Armagnac-esque rancio and a touch of coffee. The slightly sawdusty vanilla oak comes through and lightens the nose and eventually becomes the dominant character.
The palate is very much like the nose, with the sherry up first with hints of coffee, dusty tannins, prune, raisin and dried plum. Lovely, intense, citric and mineral middle clears the way for the soft vanilla oak to come through on the finish. Long with lingering barley, grass, mineral's and coffee.