Highland distillery Tomatin has announced the newest expression in its Warehouse 6 collection.
The 1977 is the first in the distillery's history to be matured in a Sauternes wine cask, resulting in a burst of tropical flavours which complement the complex fruity flavours for which its 1970s whisky is known.
Bottled at cask strength of 49% ABV, the 1977 release's unique flavour profile has intense notes of coconut, mango and ginger – trademarks of wines from the Sauternes region of France. Just 390 bottles of the expression have been released, priced at £3,000 each.
Graham Eunson, distillery operations director at Tomatin, said:
“Of the thousands of casks held at Tomatin, we’ve only ever acquired a handful of Sauternes wine casks. Using any one of them, even for one of our oldest and most valuable whiskies, wasn’t a decision we made lightly; we knew from the start that it could be difficult to impart the flavours of the wine cask to the whisky without overwhelming it."
Graham continued, "Despite the immense challenge, I’m pleased to say that our team has produced a truly exceptional whisky that includes notes of apricot, peach, sweet honeysuckle and spice, all enticed from the Sauternes cask’s influence.”
The 1977 expression has spent its life maturing in Warehouse 6, the traditional dunnage-style warehouse where Tomatin’s most treasured casks are laid low above a cool earthen floor. It follows previous expressions in the collection such as the 1971 and the 1975.
Each expression in the Warehouse 6 range pays tribute to the Tomatin craftsmen — the 1977 is no different. Each bottle is decanted into a hand-blown Glencairn Crystal decanter and is presented with two glasses (also by Glencairn Crystal), a solid copper stopper and a numbered certificate detailing the remarkable journey of the whisky.
The 1977 will be available from specialist retailers worldwide including Harrods, The Whisky Exchange and Masters of Malt.
The 1977 is the first in the distillery's history to be matured in a Sauternes wine cask, resulting in a burst of tropical flavours which complement the complex fruity flavours for which its 1970s whisky is known.
Bottled at cask strength of 49% ABV, the 1977 release's unique flavour profile has intense notes of coconut, mango and ginger – trademarks of wines from the Sauternes region of France. Just 390 bottles of the expression have been released, priced at £3,000 each.
Graham Eunson, distillery operations director at Tomatin, said:
“Of the thousands of casks held at Tomatin, we’ve only ever acquired a handful of Sauternes wine casks. Using any one of them, even for one of our oldest and most valuable whiskies, wasn’t a decision we made lightly; we knew from the start that it could be difficult to impart the flavours of the wine cask to the whisky without overwhelming it."
Graham continued, "Despite the immense challenge, I’m pleased to say that our team has produced a truly exceptional whisky that includes notes of apricot, peach, sweet honeysuckle and spice, all enticed from the Sauternes cask’s influence.”
The 1977 expression has spent its life maturing in Warehouse 6, the traditional dunnage-style warehouse where Tomatin’s most treasured casks are laid low above a cool earthen floor. It follows previous expressions in the collection such as the 1971 and the 1975.
Each expression in the Warehouse 6 range pays tribute to the Tomatin craftsmen — the 1977 is no different. Each bottle is decanted into a hand-blown Glencairn Crystal decanter and is presented with two glasses (also by Glencairn Crystal), a solid copper stopper and a numbered certificate detailing the remarkable journey of the whisky.
The 1977 will be available from specialist retailers worldwide including Harrods, The Whisky Exchange and Masters of Malt.
