Tomatin

Introduction:

Tomatin distillery, located about 15 miles south of Inverness, is renowned for its range of Single Malt Whiskies crafted using different types of casks. The Highland Whisky from Tomatin is celebrated for its fruity and spicy characteristics. The core range includes the classic unpeated Tomatin style as well as a peated line known as Cù Bòcan. Among the notable expressions, the Tomatin Legacy is matured in ex-Bourbon and new oak casks, while the Tomatin 12 Years Old undergoes maturation in ex-Bourbon casks with a finishing period in Sherry casks. This non-peated range is complemented by releases aged 14, 15, 18, 21, and 30 years, along with limited single cask offerings. The distillery also produces the premium blended Scotch Whisky, Antiquary, with different releases available, including a 12 and a 21 – year – old expression, as well as a standard release without an age statement.

Production:

Since the year 2000, Tomatin Distillery has focused on Single Malt Whisky production. Over the years, their sales have seen significant growth, with the number of bottles sold increasing from 100,000 in the past decade to 420,000 in 2014. Even though Tomatin has six spirit stills, the distillery has managed to achieve this production growth using only four of them. The mashing process begins with 10 malt bins, each containing 50 tonnes of Scottish barley. The barley passes through a mill and then enters an 8 – ton stainless steel mash tun. Tomatin primarily uses unpeated malt, except for one week each year when they produce Whisky from peated barley with a phenol level of around 15ppm, known as Cu Bocan. Fermentation takes place in 12 stainless steel washbacks, each with a capacity of 42,000 liters, and lasts for an extended period of 168 hours, resulting in a tropical and fruity wash with notes of bananas and overripe melons.

The Distillation:

Tomatin distillery operates six pairs of stills, with six wash stills and four spirit stills currently in use. The wash stills have a capacity of 15,000 liters and undergo a 13 – hour first distillation, while the spirit stills, based on the original design, have the same size and shape. The second distillation process takes 12 hours, allowing for a slow and meticulous process that yields a soft and refined spirit.

Warehouses:

Tomatin boasts 13 warehouses where approximately 170,000 casks are stored. These warehouses have a collective capacity for about a quarter of a million casks, with some storage space also leased to third parties. Prior to filling, the casks are carefully inspected and repaired in Tomatin’s own cooperage. Various types of casks are used for maturing Tomatin Whisky, including Sherry butts, port pipes, hogsheads, Bourbon barrels, and even more unique options like Marsala or Madeira casks.

History:

The history of Tomatin Distillery dates back to 1897 when it was established near the village of the same name. The distillery’s location was chosen for its access to fresh water and the nearby railway leading to the bustling marketplace of Inverness. Tomatin Whisky quickly gained popularity during the Whisky boom of the time. To accommodate its growing workforce, over 30 houses were constructed on-site, and to this day, about 80% of Tomatin’s employees reside within the distillery campus. After a briefperiod of closure, Tomatin was acquired by a London wine trading company in 1909, which brought a wealth of wine casks for maturation purposes. Under new management, Tomatin thrived and underwent significant expansions. By 1974, the distillery boasted an impressive 23 stills, making it the largest distillery in Scotland and producing 12 million liters of alcohol annually. However, the industry faced a downturn, leading to Tomatin’s liquidation in 1985. In 1986, the distillery was purchased by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo Ltd. in collaboration with the trading company Okura, forming Tomatin Distillery Company Ltd. The focus shifted to prioritizing quality over quantity, and today, Tomatin Single Malts are highly regarded, with a growing demand.

Visitor Centre:

Tomatin Distillery’s visitor center and gift shop have been welcoming whisky enthusiasts seven days a week since 2016. Visitors have the opportunity to embark on various tours, including a standard distillery tour, a tasting tour featuring six different drams, and the Single Cask Experience, a comprehensive tour that delves into the nuances of cask expressions. As a unique offering, Tomatin also allows visitors to fill their own bottle of cask strength Tomatin Whisky, creating a personalized experience and souvenir.

Visitor information:

Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd
Tomatin
Inverness – shire
IV13 7YT
Tel: +44 (0)1463 – 248148
Visitor Centre: +44 (0)1463 – 248144

Opening hours

Low Season (November – March):
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm

High Season (April – October):
Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 5:30pm