Tomatin Decades has been composed to celebrate Douglas Campbell, their Master Distiller who has been working for Tomatin for 50 years now. To honour this, one cask was selected from every decade that he has worked there. There were three refill sherry casks (1967, 1976, 1984) and two first fill bourbon barrels (1990 and 2005).

It seems this ‘cask vatting by numbers’ concept is a new trend, after the Glenfarclas 175th Anniversary and similar ideas like the Glenlivet Decades set or Ardbeg Rollercoaster.

Tomatin Decades
(46%, OB 2011, 9000 btl.)

Nose: starts buttery and milky, with hints of vanilla ice cream. Soon these notes are overtaken by juicy fruits: stewed apples, peaches, but also great hints of tropical fruits. Dried fruits from the sherry are present on a lower level as well as some marzipan and caramel. Even some traces of peat. Nicely layered, plenty of things to discover. Mouth: creamy again (fruits with whipped cream, yum). Apples, orange sherbet, papaya… Vanilla and cinnamon. Faint butterscotch notes. Sweetish, fresh and balanced. Finish: medium long, hints of drying oak now, and soft spices.

This Tomatin Decades is well composed. It’s nice to see the typical 1960-1970’s fruitiness mixed with vibrant flavours and a creaminess from the younger casks. Fair pricing as well, so recommended. Around € 80.

Score: 89/100