Try the strongest cocktails on a weekend break at Scotland’s biggest single-malt distillery
AS SOMEONE who believed they were a real whisky expert because they spent their twenties necking Jim Beam and Coke, I had a lot to learn at the Tomatin distillery.
After flying in to Inverness airport and checking into the nearby Kingsmills Hotel, it was a short drive through the rolling Scottish Highlands until we reached the village.
At its peak, Tomatin was Scotland’s biggest single- malt distillery, producing 12.5million litres of whisky a year, and was one of the main suppliers for the Famous Grouse label.
The distillery hit hard times in the Eighties and, after liquidation, was temporarily closed down.
However, the Japanese company Takara Shuzo swooped in and saved the historic name, by cutting production to only 2million litres a year — just for the Tomatin brand.
This tumultuous moment in the distillery’s history can never be forgotten. It’s why there are no casks from 1986 stored in the sprawling factory sheds.
These huge sheds, which are overlooked by iron-grey Scottish skies and rolling waves of purple heather, hold barrels and casks from every year of production.
When I visited in August, there were 168,356 casks maturing at Tomatin. Fifty-nine staff, most of whom live on site in historic workers cottages, oversee the production and maintenance of the nectar.
Last year to celebrate the distillery’s legacy, it released a limited-edition run of the 1971 cask. It was hugely popular, with all 252 bottles sold within six months — a statistic made even more impressive by its £2,500 price tag.
This year, as part of Tomatin’s five-year special-edition series, it’s the 1972 cask’s turn to get an airing after being specially selected from shed number six.
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The premise is the same, a limited amount of bottles, an eye-popping £2,000 price tag and a chance to taste history.
We had a chance to sample some of the special release after touring the distillery and cracking open a fresh bottle from its special presentation box.
The box comes complete with two whisky glasses embossed with Scottish silver.
Despite being 42.1 per cent proof, the dark red liquid had vanilla and pineapple aromas hovering over dark chocolate, marzipan and banana.
It is a taste I never want to forget, but I have to make do with Tomatin-infused fudge and liqueur chocolates from the gift shop.
Later, a Tomatin-themed tasting dinner back at the Kingsmills Hotel showed how versatile the spirit can be paired with food, and served mixed in adventurous — and wickedly strong — cocktails.
My whisky-tasting adventure in the Highlands might have been an altogether classier affair than my messy nights out swigging whisky and Coke, but a sore head the next day was very familiar.
Go: Inverness
GETTING/STAYING THERE: easyJet flies to Inverness from Luton from £34 return. See .
Stay at the 4* Kingsmill Hotel from £80 per night. See .
OUT & ABOUT: Tomatin distillery tours start from £8, including three drams of whisky. See