Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with the C.Gars Privacy Policy
Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with the C.Gars Privacy Policy
Tomatin has had a rollercoaster of a history since being officially founded in 1897. Located in the Scottish Highlands, it has been known for the Tomatin distillery to be producing whisky many centuries before 1897, mainly due to the large quantity of water and fertile land that surrounds it.
When the distillery was established, it was named the Tomatin Spey District Distillery Company. It was built during a period of whisky industry expansion in Scotland in the late 19th century, the location is near Inverness, making it well-positioned for access to Highland water sources and barley supplies. However, like many distilleries of its time, Tomatin struggled financially, partly due to the economic downturn and whisky industry challenges after the boom of the 1890s.
The distillery managed to survive into the 20th century, but World War I and the time before World War II were difficult times for whisky producers. Tomatin closed temporarily and went through various changes in ownership during the early years of the 20th century.
After World War II, Tomatin entered a period of significant growth, aided by the global resurgence in whisky demand. In the 1950s, under another new ownership, Tomatin expanded its whisky production by installing new stills. By the 1970s, Tomatin was one of the largest whisky distilleries in Scotland, operating an incredible 23 stills at its peak. The distillery was producing whisky mainly for blends, their incredible whisky made Tomatin a key ingredient in many popular blended Scotch whisky.
However, the distillery’s massive production became a hefty liability when the whisky industry entered a period of decline in the early 1980s. The worldwide recession and changing consumer tastes led to a fall in demand for Scotch whisky, and Tomatin, like many others, faced financial difficulties.
In 1986, Tomatin finally had financial stability. The distillery was bought by the Takara Shuzo Company and Okura & Co. These two Japanese firms acquired the distillery to provide financial stability and continue operations. This was a notable moment in whisky history, as it marked the beginning of significant Japanese involvement in the Scotch whisky industry.
Following the Japanese acquisition, Tomatin began to focus more on producing single malt whisky rather than supplying whisky for blends. The distillery gradually built a reputation for creating high-quality single malts, and by the 1990s, their single malt offerings became more widely available on the international market.
In the following years, Tomatin developed a range of single malts, offering expressions aged in various cask types (including bourbon and sherry) and showcasing the flavours of Highland whisky. In recent years, the distillery has continued to innovate, releasing special editions, wood finishes, and older aged expressions.
Today, their core whiskies include the Tomatin 12 Year Old, Tomatin Legacy which is a non-age-statement, and older expressions like the Tomatin 18 Year Old and Tomatin 36 Year Old. The distillery has gained a strong reputation for creating smooth single malts with fruity, malty characteristics.
