With twelve active stills and an output of around 5 million litres/year Tomatin is one of the largest distilleries in the Highlands. Yet at one point in the 1970s it was the largest distillery in Scotland: founded in 1897, the real expansion at Tomatin took place between 1956 and 1974, during which period the number of stills increased from 2 to 23.
These 23 stills gave the distillery a capacity of 12 million litres – meaning it was (in production terms at least) larger even than Roseisle, Diageo’s new mega-distillery. However, 11 of Tomatin’s stills were dismantled in the 1980s during the whisky crisis which forced the distillery into bankruptcy and liquidation. Enter the Japanese to save the day.
These days, much of Tomatin’s output is sold to other companies for blending, but there is also a range of well-priced single malts, including a 12 yo, 18yo, 25yo and occasional vintage bottlings. Independent releases are occasionally spotted as well. Michael Jackson describes the house style as ‘Malty, spicy, rich. Restorative or after dinner’.
Legacy
Tomatin distillery’s no-age-statement release uses virgin oak as well as bourbon casks. It provides a new entry level to the Tomatin range but the use of different casks make this a unique expression.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Lemon, panatela and pine forest. Slightly green with vanilla.
Palate: Cracked pepper and sweet barley with pineapple cube sweets. Waves of warming oak beneath.
Finish: Sweet but peppered.
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