Tomatin launches 15yo Moscatel-finished whisky

by Melita Kiely

Highland single malt whisky producer Tomatin has released a limited edition 15-year-old Scotch, finished in Portuguese Moscatel wine barriques.

Distilled in 2003, the whisky has been finished in Moscatel wine barriques for five years and is said to have notes of toasted almonds, oranges, sun-dried raisins and figs, leading to a sweet and creamy finish. With an abv of 46%, only 6,000 bottles will be released globally at an RRP of £75 (US$100) per 700ml. Jennifer Masson, Tomatin’s marketing manager, said: “Moscatel releases are relatively rare and tend to be limited as the casks aren’t widely available – making this expression a must-have and we expect it will prove very popular with our customers who are looking for something a little different, but still typically Tomatin.” The expression is part of Tomatin’s ongoing experimentation into alternative cask finishes and follows the launch of a 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon-finished release and a nine-year-old Carribbean rum-finished whisky in 2016. Graham Eunson, Tomatin distillery manager, added: “This full-bodied and intense single malt may be unusual in as much as it is finished in first-fill Moscatel barriques, however this really accentuates what Tomatin whiskies are known for being: smooth, light, sweet and fruity.”