Tobermory launches 26YO whisky

Isle of Mull-based distillery Tobermory has unveiled the latest release in its Hebridean Series – a 26-year-old whisky finished in oloroso Sherry casks.

The whisky’s liquid comes from the 2008 15-year-old release and was left in the same casks to mature for another 11 years. It is said to feature notes ‘entwined with salted toffee and floral honey, finishing with caramelised walnuts and a subtle salty undercurrent’. The bottle is presented in a box adorned with a photo of a white-tailed eagle, of which the Scottish island holds the largest nesting population. The photo was taken by wildlife cameraman Gordan Buchanan. Only 4,560 bottles are available to purchase, for an RRP of £370 (US$470) from the distillery's website and Berry Bros & Rudd. The whisky follows the 23-, 24- and 25-year-old bottlings in the series, which launched in 2021. The series will conclude with a fifth and final whisky next year. Alongside the 26-year-old, Tobermory has also launched a whisky made in partnership with the Mull and Iona Community Trust, and Buchanan. Buchanan works with the distillery as an island ambassador to preserve and promote the Isle of Mull, while the Mull and Iona Community Trust has recently been announced as Tobermory’s official charity partner. The Mull and Iona Community Trust supports long-term conservation and restoration of the Ardura Forest, and a donation from the whisky's production will go towards the charity to protect the island's ecosystem. Produced by master blender Julieann Fernandez and named the Ledaig Triple Wood, the whisky is a combination of three casks – wine, Bourbon and Port – and features packaging with images shot by Buchanan on the island. Bottled at 53% ABV, Ledaig Triple Wood is said to have notes of apple, vanilla, smoky oak and toffee, plus a ‘lingering whisper of maple syrup’. It can be picked up for £95 (US$121) from Tobermory's website. “We are very excited to introduce these two incredible new releases – each inspired by the island we’ve been lucky to call home for almost 230 years,” added Fernandez. “Crafting expressions which not only take inspiration from, but also give back to, the community which has contributed to every drop of our whisky is such an honour for a master blender, and I could think of no better partners than Gordon and the Mull and Iona Community Trust to make this dream a reality.”