Tomatin 35 Year Old 1978 Small Batch Cadenhead

When the Tomatin Distillery was taken over by Takara, Shuzo & Okura in 1986, it was the first distillery to come into the hands of a Japanese country. In the 1970s, when the whisky we are about to taste was distilled, Tomatin was one of the big players with its 23 stills and a capacity of 12 million liters per annum. Today only half of the stills are active. We will try a 35 Year Old from Cadenhead.

Oh, a tropical fruit bomb on the nose. Passion fruit, kiwi, mango, melon, banana, you name it! And while I have tried more fruity Tomatin (1976, anyone?), this is very succulent and creamy. Smells like a rich compote. A bit of rhubarb in the mix, sprinkled with cinnamon. Some chocolate. Delicious!

Creamy on the palate as well. Wonderfully fruity (all of the above), but now perfectly seasoned with all kinds of woodspice. Think cinnamon, a soft pepper and a touch of nutmeg. Aniseed? Some mint. Add some peach chutnet that I keep in the fridge. Somewhat oriental. I think this is outstanding.

I would have liked the finish to be somewhat longer, but I am not complaining. Becomes dry towards the end.

Old Tomatin, it is always a great adventure.

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