Tobermory 12yo

Tobermory, the capital of Mull, lies towards the northern end of the island. The bay is one of the safest anchorages in the Hebrides, indeed the original name for the area was Ledaig (pronounced Led-chig) from the Gaelic, meaning ‘safe haven’.

As well as Tobermory, the distillery also makes Ledaig single malt. The main difference between the two is that Tobermory is lightly peated and Ledaig is quite heavily peated.

The water source for the distillery is a privately owned Loch close by the Mishnish Lochs, high in hills behind the town. The water from the Loch is richly aromatic with peaty phenols that lend impart a subtle flavour to the whisky. Due to the water’s character the barley malt used remains unpeated.

The ageing process now takes place at Tobermory’s sister distillery Deanston, near Doune, for a minimum of ten years. This change of location induces further complexities in the final blending.

Launched in 2019, Tobermory 12 Year Old takes centre-stage in the new core range from the distillery. After a two year hiatus as the distillery underwent extensive refurbishments, Tobermory has introduced new bottlings, inspired by the colours of the Isle of Mull. Matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Pear, peach and apple, with a dusting of brown sugar. Greek yogurt, barley and a hint of cinnamon pastries.

Palate: Rounded malt notes once again, now a touch oily. Still packs a hearty helping of stone fruit sweetness.

Finish: A flash of orange peel, soft sawdust, toffee and dates.