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You’ve probably walked past the whisky aisle and spotted familiar names, but Tomatin? Maybe not. Despite crafting award-winning single malts in the Scottish Highlands since 1897, Tomatin has remained something of a hidden treasure.
That’s changing. With the launch of Tomatin Double Cask and Tomatin 10 Year Old in supermarkets, this storied distillery is ready to meet a whole new audience. Sit down with Tomatin’s Distillery Manager, Jamie Muir, to find out why this brand deserves a place in your glass.
Why do many whisky fans say they’ve never come across Tomatin before?
Tomatin: That’s a great question. Tomatin has been producing whisky for well over a century, but for most of that time, we focused on supplying high-quality spirit for blends rather than promoting our own single malt. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that we started championing Tomatin as a single malt. So while we’ve always been here, we’ve only recently stepped into the spotlight.
What makes Tomatin different from other Highland distilleries?
T: Tomatin is known for its gentle, approachable Highland style; soft and fruity. We also have a unique heritage, we had an entire village built around the distillery for our workers and to this day over half our workforce - myself included - live in these houses. That sense of community and care still runs through everything we do. For our team it’s more than a job, it’s a way of life.
Tomatin has been around for over a century. Can you share a bit about its history and how it has evolved?
T: We started in 1897 in the remote Highlands, and by the 1970s, Tomatin was the largest malt distillery in Scotland. We had 23 stills and were the main supplier to all the big blended whisky brands. After a change in ownership in the 1980s, we shifted focus from volume to quality. We decommissioned 11 of our stills and worked on building a carefully considered house style for our brand. Today, we’re proud to produce award-winning single malts that reflect our heritage but also meet modern whisky drinkers’ expectations.
Tomatin’s Distillery Manager, Jamie Muir
John Paul
What role does location play in the character of Tomatin whisky?
T: “Our distillery sits high in the Monadhliath Mountains just south of Inverness, surrounded by pure Highland air and soft water from the Alt-na-Frith burn. That environment gives Tomatin its delicate, fruity character, something you can taste in every dram.”
Tomatin has won multiple awards. What do these accolades say about the whisky?
T: Awards are a great validation of what we do. Our single malts have consistently been recognised for quality and flavour, which tells us we’re striking the right balance between tradition and innovation. It’s reassurance for anyone trying Tomatin for the first time. As well as many coveted Gold, Double Gold and Platinum awards, we’ve been awarded the World’s Best Single Malt twice, and in 2022 when we celebrated our 125th anniversary, we were awarded the IWSC Scotch Whisky Producer Trophy.
How does Tomatin balance tradition with innovation in its whisky-making process?
T: We still use traditional copper pot stills and time-honoured methods, but we’re not afraid to experiment with cask finishes or new maturation techniques. That’s how we keep things exciting while staying true to our Highland roots. Our core range focuses on showcasing our style through various cask types including sherry, port and bourbon, however we also release limited edition releases, our most recent series being the Sherry Collection which compares influence imparted by three different types of sherry casks.
What can a whisky fan expect when they try Tomatin for the first time?
T: Expect a smooth, easy-drinking whisky with notes of orchard fruit, honey, and a gentle spice. It’s approachable enough for newcomers but layered enough for seasoned whisky fans to appreciate.
Why is Tomatin now appearing in supermarkets and what does this mean for the brand?
T: We want to make Tomatin more accessible. Traditionally, you’ll find us in specialist shops and that isn’t changing , but now we’re bringing these new expressions - Tomatin Double Cask and Tomatin 10 Year Old - to supermarkets so more people can discover what makes Tomatin special and bring a little bit of luxury into their every day.
What’s your personal favourite expression and why?
T: That’s a tough one! I’d say the Tomatin 18 Year Old - it’s matured in Oloroso sherry casks and has an incredible depth of flavour. But honestly, each expression has its own charm.”
What’s next for Tomatin, are there any exciting projects or releases on the horizon?
T: Absolutely. We’re always exploring new cask types and limited editions, and we have some exciting releases planned for next year.
Tomatin Double Cask and Tomatin 10 Year Old are now in supermarkets
Ready to taste Tomatin?
If you’re new to the brand, start with their supermarket stars:
Tomatin Double Cask – A rich, layered whisky matured in bourbon and sherry casks, offering notes of vanilla, dried fruit, and gentle spice.
Tomatin 10 Year Old – A refined Highland single malt matured in bourbon casks with a sweet and fruity buttery flavour that really allows Tomatin’s natural tropical flavours to shine through.
For more information, visit tomatin.com.
