Tomatin 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

As a distilling site, illicit or otherwise, Tomatin goes back to the 15th Century when drovers – men who ‘drove’ their cattle to market over high mountain passes – would fill up their whisky flasks from a still alongside the Old Laird’s House. A formal distillery for the making of fine Scotch malt was first built on the site in 1897 by the Tomatin Spey District Distillery Co Ltd, and revived in 1909 by the new Tomatin Distillers Co Ltd.

The 20-year expansion programme started in the 1950s saw production rise to some 12 million litres a year, making Tomatin the largest capacity Scotch whisky distillery in the world by 1974 - a credential it maintained until 1987 when 11 stills were dismantled in the mid-1980s during the whisky crisis that forced Tomatin into bankruptcy and liquidation. Thankfully, it was saved by the Japanese conglomerate, Takara Shuzo in 1986, who launched the modern era of whisky distilling in the Monadhliath Mountains.

Around eighty percent of Tomatin's whisky goes into blended whisky, including its own brands of Antiquary and Talisman. The distillery, as of late, has been making an effort to bolster its name as a producer of single malts and is expanding its core range. In 2003, Tomatin's basic 10 year old malt was replaced by the 12 year old. In 2009, a 15 Year was added to the line-up, which also includes an 18 year old and a 25 year old. We've just received a selection of bottlings into store after a lengthy absence from the Australian market.

Tasting note: Pale straw gold. Dried grass and a whiff of smoke? Generous and well rounded mouthfeel, with a delicious, juicy malty heart. Excellent concentration and balance. Ends fresh, satisfying and eminently drinkable. Malt, malt and more malt is the recurring theme here. Hits the spot with a delicious interplay between juicy malt and American oak. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... One of the most malty drams on the market today...the intense juicy barley trademark remains clear and delicious. 86 points- Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2014

Diffordsguide Rating - 4/5