Tomatin

The main advantage of Tomatin Scotch whiskey lies in the correct choice of each ingredient. The water comes only from the Alt na Frith spring, which originates high in the Monadliat mountains. Barley of the highest quality. The finished product is aged in oak barrels, and at the finish line is often poured into porto, sherry or bourbon barrels. Distillation technologies have not been disturbed since the launch of the distillery in 1897. Close attention is paid to the production of both single malt and blended whiskey.

Features. The minimum strength of Tomatin whiskey is 40%, the maximum is 53,9%, the aging periods vary from 10 to 40 years. Scottish scotch under this brand regularly participates in international competitions. Whiskey Antiquary 12-year-old in 2006 and 2007 took second place in the International Wine & Spirits Competition, in 2005 and 2008 – second place in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Whiskey Tomatin Legacy in 2014 received a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Historical reference. The founding date of the Tomatin distillery is 1897, and the production is located near the Scottish city of Inverness in the village of Tom Aitinn (“Juniper Hill”). This highland area is located on the banks of one of the largest rivers in Scotland – Findhorn. Until 1958, whiskey was produced in minimal quantities, but by the 1970s the situation had changed dramatically – up to 12 million liters of products were produced annually.

Significant changes took place in 1986-1987, when the Japanese company Takara Shuzo became the owner of the distillery. Since that time, the trademark began to be called The Tomatin Distillery Co., Ltd. In 2012, for the first time, the company used heating boilers with modern types of boilers operating on special pellets and wood chips. The volume of whiskey produced has been reduced to 2,5-5 million liters per year, of which 80% is blended scotch. Drinks produced under the Antiquary brand are especially popular.

Every year the assortment of Tomatin whiskey expands:

• in 2003, the world saw Tomatin 12-year-old Scotch whiskey;
• in 2009, older varieties of scotch tape were added to the assortment – 15-year-old, 18-year-old and 25-year-old aging;

  limited parties appear regularly, timed to coincide with significant dates and anniversaries;

• since 2014, Cu Bocan (“Ghost Dog”) whiskey has been sold – a single malt peated scotch with citrus and spice aromas.

Types of whiskey Tomatin

The entire range of Tomatin products is divided into 3 main groups: blended whiskey, single malt and limited edition scotch. Each species has its own characteristics.

Blended Whiskey Antiquary

• Antiquary 12 Years Old is a deluxe blended whiskey, 40% abv and aged in American oak barrels for 12 years. It is cold-filtered, has a light nutty color, is sold in a diamond-shaped faceted bottle, has a fruity aroma and a spicy flavor.
• Antiquary 21 Years Old is a strong whiskey (43%), which is aged in American oak barrels for 21 years and cold filtered. This is a bright amber color scotch with a subdued peaty aroma, rich taste with hints of honey and fruit.
• Antiquary Finest – whiskey with a strength of 40%. Color – walnut with golden highlights, aged in oak barrels for 4-6 months. In the aromatic bouquet, citrus fruits are clearly felt, complemented by tones of smoke and vanilla. The taste is reminiscent of fruits and fresh bread, the aftertaste is surprisingly soft.

Single malt varieties of scotch “Tomatine”

• Tomatin 12 Years Old is a 40% Scotch aged in oak sherry casks for 12 years. The drink is distinguished by a light amber color, fruity aroma, smooth, silky taste of apples, pears and malt. The finish is long and elegant.
• Tomatin 18 Years Old is a 46% ABV single malt whiskey aged for 18 years in American oak sherry casks. Distinctive qualities include: light amber color, vanilla aroma with a smoky feel, honey taste with notes of dark chocolate and citrus fruits. It appeared on the market in 2006.
• Tomatin 22 Years Old – scotch for connoisseurs of hot drinks, the strength is 46%. Aged in oak barrels for 22 years, not cold filtered. The color is dark gold, the aroma is long-lasting with hints of fruit and ginger, the taste is honey and nuts. The aftertaste is layered, that is, first – sweetness, and then – prolonged dryness.
• Tomatin 40 Years Old is a special sort of Scotch whiskey, which is characterized by a maximum aging period of 40 years. The fortress is 42,9%, the color is bronze, the aroma is shades of raisins, orange peel and beeswax, the taste is with notes of cream and fruits. The distillation process dates back to 1967, the number of bottles is limited – only 1614 pcs.
• Tomatin Legacy is a single malt scotch aged in bourbon oak barrels for 15 years. Fortress – 43%. Color – light golden with a yellow tint. The aromatic bouquet consists of tones of marshmallow, vanilla and biscuit, the taste is light, with a sense of sweetness and notes of a pine forest.
• Tomatin Cu Bocan is an amber-golden peated malt whiskey with an ABV of 46%. It is aged both in new wooden barrels and in sherry or bourbon containers. It has a unique aroma with hints of cream and coconut, cinnamon and cloves. The aftertaste successfully combines spice and sweetness.

Limited editions of Tomatin products

• In September 1973, the process of distillation of Tomatin 1973 Scotch whiskey, 44% alcohol, started. An alcoholic drink of this category is characterized by a mild fruity taste and vanilla aroma.
• January 1980 is the date of distillation of Tomatin 1980 scotch, 47,4% abv with a rich taste and light aroma. The exposure period is 28 years. The number of bottles is limited – 172 pieces.
• In April 1990, 1990 bottles of Tomatin 160 scotch were distilled. The drink is distinguished by the taste of spices and honey, the aroma of orange peel and fruit cake.
• In October 1992, Tomatin 1992 was distilled with a strength of 53,9%, aroma – cane sugar and raisins, taste – prunes and sweet fruits. The batch is small – only 328 bottles.

Still interesting are such options as Antiquary 1977 – blended whiskey with a strength of 46% with the aroma of citrus fruits and the taste of bitter chocolate, Tomatin 21 – scotch with a strength of 52%, aged in oak barrels from 21 to 24 years, with a double aroma: first – the aroma of flowers, later – the feeling of pipe tobacco.