Award-winning Tomatin whisky: the ideal gift for Father’s Day 2023

Highland distillery unveils its ‘must-have’ whiskies for father figures this June

There is no better way to celebrate a father figure than with a remarkable dram, shared together or gifted as a moment to savour.

Nestled in the heart of the Highlands and famous for its portfolio of spectacular single malts, Tomatin is a distillery full of history, heritage, and charm. Responsible for the award-winning collection is a loyal team, many of whom have worked at the distillery for much of their adult lives, with generations of their families before them.

Family is intrinsic to what makes Tomatin and its whisky so special, making it the ideal choice for a Father’s Day gift.

Tomatin – 12 Year Old single malt (70cl, 43% ABV, £47)

An award-winning flagship from Tomatin’s core range: a silky smooth single malt with a rich and fruity aroma. 

This remarkable 12 Year Old single malt is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-Spanish sherry and traditional Scotch whisky casks. Initial aromas of wild heather, pine and cedar soon reveal sweeter notes of crème caramel with apples, pears and mango, before a full-bodied and buttery finish.

The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International Spirits Challenge receiving Gold in 2022 and 2021, and most recently, picking up a Gold at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition in 2023.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.  

 

Tomatin – Legacy single malt (70cl, 43% ABV, £35) 

An exceptional single malt which celebrates the legacy of Tomatin and the enduring spirit of its people.

After being established in 1897 in the heart of the idyllic but isolated village of Tomatin, the distillery required a workforce to manage production. The company began a construction project to accommodate its workforce and since then, the distillery has been at the heart of the community. It is one of the few remaining distilleries which provides a home for its craftsmen and women on-site.

Legacy is a nod to that story.

This unpeated Scotch boasts aromas of vanilla bean, white chocolate, and cinnamon. Time spent in bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks brings a light sweetness to the whisky, which also offers a palate of gentle waves of fresh fruit peppered with ginger before a light, clean finish.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.   

Tomatin – 14 Year Old single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £75)

A rare single malt from Tomatin’s core range: silky and sweet, benefiting from its time spent in Tawny Port casks

This distinctive 14 year old single malt whisky is matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Port casks which have previously held port for around 50 years.

A feather in the cap of Tomatin’s first class wood policy, a rich but balanced aromas of red berries are met with sweet honey and rich toffee which develop into aspects of light fruits and nuts to create an abiding finish of smooth fruit salad.

The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 picking up Gold and Double Gold in 2019.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers

Tomatin – Portuguese Collection 

Experience the magic of Tomatin’s craftsmanship in cask maturations with Tomatin’s Portuguese Collection. The limited-edition collection was launched last year to celebrate the relationship the distillery holds with its cask providers overseas.  

Distilled on 8th September 2006 and laid down in traditional oak casks for over eight years. On 23rd April 2015 the whisky was then moved into Tawny Port, Moscatel de Setúbal and Madeira Wine casks for a further seven years, resulting in a magnificent triad of single malt Scotch Whiskies.

#1 – The Port Edition single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £90)

The first in the Collection is a unique edition matured in Tawny Port Casks, boasting aromas of Black Forest gateau that are met with warm spices and develop into fresh summer fruits. The taste is deep with forest fruits including blackberries, raspberries, and cherries, alongside sweeter notes of peach and apricot which return on the finish.

#2 – The Moscatel Edition single malt (70cl, 46%, £90)

Part two of the Portuguese Collection is the Moscatel Edition which is matured in Moscatel de Setúbal Casks. This distinctive single malt boasts sweet aromas of marmalade, honey and salted caramel that has a hint of citrus which balances perfectly with ginger and star anise on the palate. A sweet whisky with a long, dessert wine finish.

#3 – The Maderia Edition single malt (70cl, 46%, £90

Part three of the Portuguese Collection is the Maderia Edition which is matured in Maderia Wine casks. Initial aromas of honey and lemon take the lead, while flavours of butterscotch and stewed apples dance on the palate, before a treacly and fruity finish.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.

Tasting notes 

Tomatin 12 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose–Initially herbaceous with aromas of heather, wild mint, pinecones, and cedar soon sweetening to reveal notes of cookie dough, sultanas, caramelized sugar, and pine sap. There is a faint hint of leather and spice.
• Palate–Sweet and malty, reminiscent of a cheesecake base with dried apple, mango, and fresh pears. Crème caramel with raisin and Christmas spice.
• Finish –Buttery, full-bodied fruitiness gives way to tantalisingly dry notes of Oloroso. 

Tomatin Legacy tasting notes

• Nose – Opens with a burst of Bourbon barrel sweetness – aromas of custard cream biscuits, white chocolate, vanilla bean, white sugar, and golden syrup, before hints of sandalwood, desiccated coconut and cinnamon give a nod to the use of Virgin American Oak.
• Palate – Waves of sweet vanilla and fresh fruit with a gentle touch of white pepper and ginger. The quality of the Tomatin spirit is on full display here with pink lady apples, rhubarb, and candied orange peel.
• Finish – Fruit and oak combine to create a clean yet intriguing finish. 

Tomatin 14 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose– Top notes of fresh peach, mandarin, watermelon, and apple with deeper forest fruits like cherry and blackberry. There’s a touch of milk chocolate and a pop of honeycomb. Notes of clove and cardamom grow in intensity before another wave of fruit.
• Palate–The freshness on the nose has been preserved into a raspberry and strawberry jam, apricot compote, glace cherry, and crystallised ginger. Caramelised figs, prunes and nutty tones are indicative of the rich tawny port that once occupied these casks.
• Finish–A silky texture coats the mouth with jammy fruits and Byzantium spice. 

Tomatin Portuguese Collection tasting notes 

The Port Edition: The initial aroma is that of Black Forest gateau, with warm spices developing into fresh summer fruits. The taste is deep with forest fruits; blackberries, raspberries and cherries, but the sweeter notes of peach and apricot return on the finish.

The Moscatel Edition: Sweet aromas of marmalade, honey and salted caramel with a hint of citrus balance perfectly with ginger and star anise on the palate. A sweet whisky with a long, dessert wine finish.

The Madeira Edition: Pronounced aromas of honey and lemon take the lead, while flavours of butterscotch and stewed apples dance on the palate. The finish is treacly and fruity.

About Tomatin  

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £17,500). Tomatin Single Malt is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo International

Tomatin has been dedicated to protecting its craft, its environment and particularly its community, which is at the very heart of the brand. Many of the craftspeople working on site have been doing so their entire working lives – all working towards producing a wide range of single malts, beloved across the world.

In 2022, Tomatin launched its new brand platform, ‘To What Matters’ – designed to remind people about the important things in life. ‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a human belief in what’s truly important in life. The significant moments.

Recognition of the Highland distillery’s craftsmanship continues to grow globally.  In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin’s Legacy single malt, part of the core range, was awarded Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. It also took home seven awards at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, which is produced at the distillery in limited batches every winter, took home three.