Highland distillery Tomatin has unveiled an exceptional new limited-edition range, The Italian Collection. This trio of single malt scotch whiskies demonstrates Tomatin’s craftsmanship, combining the exceptional Highland malt with the aromatic richness of Italian wine casks, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavours.
Each bottle initially has been gently matured in traditional oak casks for 10 years before being finished in Marsala, Amarone and Barolo wine casks for a further two years. Each cask has imparted its unique character into the whisky, creating a trio of expressions that hisse homage to Italy’s esteemed wine regions. All three bottle bottled non-chill filtered and at 46% abv.
Scott Adamson, Blender & Küresel Brand Ambassador at Tomatin Distillery, says: “The Italian Collection combines the rich tapestry of Italian wine culture with our elegant Highland single malt whisky. Italy has a historic, unrivalled passion for single malt scotch whisky, so this latest trio of releases, is a tribute to that longstanding relationship with a unique take on our traditional Highland malt. We wanted to capture the essence of Italian wine, its history, nature, landscape and traditions and weave it into our whisky, all embodied within a single glass. Each expression in this collection is a testament to the seamless blending of these two worlds, offering a truly exceptional tasting experience for whisky lovers.”
I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to taste these unique series. Now let’s get into the whiskies…
Tomatin 12 Year Old – The Marsala Edition (Single Malt Scotch, 46% abv)
Part 1 of the Italian Collection, the Marsala Edition is matured in Marsala Wine casks. The Marsala Edition was distilled on 6th December 2010, the spirit laid down in traditional Scotch Whisky oak casks for 10 years. On 10th February 2021 it was then moved into Marsala, for a further 2 years.
Marsala wines are mostly diverse in personality but in general they are known to be full with nuts and dried fruits, together with notes of acacia honey, spices, and vanilla aromas
Nose: Quite sweet and elegant with fruitcake, toffee, orange peel, honey, sweet tobacco and almond. There is some dryness after initial sweetness that I can describe as a red wine with high in tannins.
Palate: Starts sweet and juicy with red fruits, lime, white chocolate, toasted oak and cinnamon flavours. Immediately turns into a more dry and spicy character. Ginger and white pepper. Quite easy to sip.
Finish: Toasted oak, ginger and lime. Dry and medium long.
Rating: 85
Price at the time of tasting: £70 – Available at Tomatin.com
Tomatin 12 Year Old – The Amarone Edition (Single Malt Scotch, 46% abv)
Part 2 of the Italian Collection, the Amarone Edition is matured in Amarone Wine casks. The Amarone Edition was distilled on 6th December 2010, the spirit laid down in traditional Scotch Whisky oak casks for 10 years. On 10th February 2021 it was then moved into Amarone, for a further 2 years.
Amarone wines are mostly known with their rich, vibrant, full-bodied and powerful characters, while offering aromas of cherry liqueur, black fig, cinnamon, plum green peppercorn and chocolate.
Nose: Initially quite sweet and fruity with apple, pear, raisin, dry apricot and fig. Followed by new oak, orange, cinnamon and toasted oak. Vibrant and juicy.
Palate: Red fruits, caramel, cinnamon and orange. Creamy, quite soft and easy to sip.
Finish: A short-medium finish with apple candy and cinnamon.
Rating: 85
Price at the time of tasting: £70 – Available at Tomatin.com
Tomatin 12 Year Old – The Barolo Edition (Single Malt Scotch, 46% abv)
Part 3 of the Italian Collection, the Barolo Edition is matured in Barolo Wine casks. Similar with the other 2 expression Barolo Edition was distilled on 6th December 2010, the spirit laid down in traditional Scotch Whisky oak casks for 10 years. On 10th February 2021 it was then moved into Barolo, for a further 2 years.
Barolo wines are known with their powerful, full-bodied profile with high tannin and acidity. Their common aromas are raspberry, cherry, rose, tar and licorice.
Nose: Begins with red fruits, charred oak, tobacco and leather with some herbal and spicy notes. Truly smells like a full-bodied red wine high tannin. With some aeration it gets sweeter with caramel and dark chocolate. Quite complex.
Palate: Softer in the palate with grapefruit, citrus, white pepper and ginger. I was expecting a darker profile after the nose, so it’s a good surprise. Quite vibrant and easy to sip.
Finish: Medium long finish with grapefruit, apple and brown sugar.
Rating: 87
Price at the time of tasting: £70 – Available at Tomatin.com
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Each Tomatin The Italian Collection expression takes us to another wine region of Italy. I very much enjoyed the different casks how they affected the whisky. While The Marsala Edition and The Amarone Edition show decent complexity and easy to sip profile, with it’s complexity and vibrant character The Barolo Edition would be my favourite among three expressions. Tomatin The Italian Collection would be a great choice to whom seek a wine cask influenced whiskies with lots of aroma and complexity.
