Situated in the village of Old Meldrum in the Scottish Highlands, the Glen Garioch (pronounced Glen Geery) Distillery was founded in 1797 by John and Alexander Manson. The distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland, and takes its name from the Valley of the Garioch, which is situated adjacent to the distillery and is known for producing the finest barley in all of Scotland. The distillery the most easterly in Scotland enjoys the temperate climate and cool breeze that are ideal for the production and maturation of whisky. Glen Garioch Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from barley harvested from the Valley of the Garioch. After the barley has been harvested, it is mashed and fermented with water drawn from the Silent Spring. In 1968, production of whisky at Glen Garioch Distillery was suspended as the area surrounding the distillery experienced a severe drought. Four years later, an incredibly pure spring was discovered upon a neighboring farm. The Silent Spring, as it came to be known, could neither be seen nor heard without modern instruments, and has been Glen Garioch's water source for over four decades. Once the barley has been fermented, it is distilled twice first through Glen Garioch copper-pot wash still and then again through its spirit still. Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky was crafted to celebrate the Manson Brothers, who founded the distillery over two centuries ago. The whisky has a copper-golden hue, along with an aroma of vanilla, dried apples, pears and bright citrus. Notes of dried fruits dominate the palate, and are complemented by touches of ginger, raisins and cinnamon. The finish is sweet and flavorful, with hints of cedar, oak and cloves. Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve Single Malt earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2011 and 2012, and a score of 92 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Situated over 1,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Monadhliath Mountains, Tomatin Distillery is one of the highest distilleries in Scotland. Its origins date back to the 15th century when drovers, bringing their cattle over the high mountain passes to the Tomatin market, filled their flasks from a still hidden at the Old Laird's House, which is situated adjacent to the distillery. Since that time, centuries of isolation and generations of family tradition (some workers at the distillery are the fifth generation of their family to work there) have created a distillery rooted in Scottish heritage and tradition. Tomatin C Bcan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky pays homage to a spectral hound (named C Bcan) who has haunted the distillery for centuries. The hound was once spotted by a distillery employee, who felt compelled "beyond all natural reason" to touch the hound's fur. As he reached out his hand, the hound dissolved "before his eyes leaving nothing but a vacuum of deathly silence and an inky blue cloud of smoke, soon spirited away across the peat moorland." For one week each year, Tomatin Distillery produces a spectral peated single malt scotch whisky, in contrast to their typical unpeated expressions. The whisky is crafted from malted barley, which is smoked over a peat flame to approximately 15 phenol parts per million. After the barley has been peated, it is fermented and then twice distilled through Tomatin's copper pot stills. The stills have a round, flat shape that gives the whisky a rounder and sweeter flavor profile, notes Douglas Campbell, Tomatin's master distiller. After distillation, the whisky is matured in three different types of casks: virgin oak casks, casks that were previously used to mature bourbon and casks that were previously used to mature sherry. As a result, the whisky has an aroma of tropical fruits, vanilla, parsley and green herbs. The aroma gives way to hints of honeyed smoke, lime, toasted almonds and cloves on the palate, and leads to a finish touched with charcoal, oak and sweet smoke. The whisky earned the Silver Medal at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival in 2013 and at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2014. Don't worry about the bottle disappearing after you touch it, though.

Only ever matured in the finest oak casks, our signature TEN YEAR OLD single malt delivers delicate forest fruits and creamy malt, a touch of smoke and rich, lasting sherry notes.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: Golden Amber

AROMA: Sweet green apple and pear complement creamy dark honey. Soft vanilla develops alongside gentle smoke.

PALATE: Smooth flavours of malted cereal and stewed fruit combine with warm toffee and a hint of black cherry.

FINISH: Full bodied finish with malted cereal and soft smoke.

Situated along a rugged farm on the western coast of Islay, Kilochman Distillery was founded in 2005 and is the first new distillery on Islay in over 125 years. "When we first started work on Kilchoman in 2003," says Anthony Wills, the distillery's founder, "the ambition was to build a distillery that was true to the traditions of distilling on Islay small farm distillers where every part of the whisky making process was done on site and I think we have managed to do just that." Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from fresh barley, which is harvested and then malted at the distillery's malthouse (Kilchoman is one of just six distilleries in Scotland that continues to malt its own barley). Once the barley has been malted, it is dried over a peat flame for ten hours. This drying process the barley is peated to approximately 20 phenol parts per million contributes a smoky, iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been dried, it is fermented for three to four days in stainless steel washbacks before being twice distilled through Kilchoman's copper-pot stills. Kilchoman Loch Gorm Single Malt Scotch Whisky is aged for five years in casks that were previously used to mature Oloroso sherry. As a result, the whisky is slightly fruity, with an aroma of spices and soft peat. Notes of sweet fruits, bananas and pears dominate the palate, and are balanced by a subtle peaty undertone. The finish is long and clean, with a burst of citrus. 13,500 bottles had only been released.

In 1815, Donald and Alexander Johnston began leasing nearly 1,000 acres of land on the island of Islay. Their intent was to raise and sell cattle on the land and as a result, they began growing barley to be used as feed for their livestock. Following a particularly bountiful harvest, the brothers distilled the excess grains they had grown into whisky, and sold it to the inhabitants of the island. Soon thereafter, the brothers found it more profitable to distill whisky than to raise cattle, and Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Distillery was born. For over a century, the distillery would remain in the hands of one of Johnston's descendants. In 1954, however, Ian Hunter passed away childless and bequeathed the distillery to Bessie Williamson, a secretary that had been working at the distillery for two decades. Hunter was incredibly protective of the distillery while he slowly revealed its secrets to Williamson after she had earned his trust, Hunter prevented a cooper who was employed at the distillery from publishing his memoirs because they described the workings of the distillery in too great a detail. Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky is one of the most flavorful and intense whiskies made anywhere in the world. During Prohibition, it was one of the few whiskies still legally imported into the United States, as it was considered a medicinal spirit. Laphroaig Single Malt is made from the finest Scottish barley, which is malted at the distillery and smoked over a peat flame. Unlike other distilleries which source peat from the Scottish mainland, the peat used to smoke Laphroaig barley is made from the heather, mosses and lichens of Islay and adds a distinct iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been malted and peated, it is fermented before being twice-distilled through Laphroaig's copper-pot stills. The unique stills have an usually flat base and flat surfaces, which lends to the overall intensity of the whisky. After the whisky has been distilled, it is aged in seasoned oak barrels, which are re-charred prior to being filled. The re-charring process caramelizes the remaining sugars in the barrel, and adds slightly sweet notes of vanilla and nutty dough to the whisky. Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is aged for ten years in the distillery's warehouses, which are situated along the shores of Loch Laphroaig. As a result, the whisky is imbued with a slightly salty tang that compliments the whisky's notes of peat and vanilla. Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is then barrier-filtered (barrier filtering preserves the flavors and rich, oily texture of the whisky while removing any remaining sediment) before being bottled at cask strength. The whisky was awarded the title "Best Single Malt in the World" by Whisky Magazine. In addition, it earned the Double Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the Gold Medal, along with the title "Best in Class," at the 2010 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

The anCnoc 12 year old is renowned the world over. Known as a must-have in any whisky drinker’s collection, it’s light and yet complex. Smooth yet challenging. And each twist and turn delivers a surprise. In fact, this is a dram that has something for everyone.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Gentle amber with a slight yellow hue.

Nose: Soft, very aromatic with a hint of honey and lemon in the foreground.

Taste: Sweet to start with an appetising fruitiness and a long smooth finish. Light yet complex, smooth yet challenging. This is a dram that has something for everyone.

Built in 1869 with an iron frame and a wooden hull, the Cutty Sark is a British clipper ship that was designed to transport tea from from China to London. At the time of its construction, the tea trade was intensely competitive and substantial bonuses were paid to ships that arrived in London with the first tea of the year. As a result, the Cutty Sark was engineered to be one of the fastest ships in the world, logging a maximum speed of 17.5 knots. The ship's name was derived from the nickname of Nannie Dee, a witch in Robert Burns' poem Tam o'Shaner. Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky is produced by Edrington of Glasgow, whose main offices are fewer than 10 miles away from the birthplace of the clipper. Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition pays homage to Captain William McCoy, who smuggled Cutty Sark whisky into the United States during Prohibition. His reputation for dealing with unadulterated liquor (at the time, many bootleggers mixed their spirits with other liquids in order to increase yield) gave rise to the Cutty Sark being referred to as "The Real McCoy." Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition Scotch Whisky is crafted from a blend of the finest single malts and top-quality grain whiskies available in Scotland, including whiskies sourced from The Macallan and Highland Park. Once the whiskies were identified, they were married together in hand selected American oak casks and then brought to 100 proof before being bottled. As a result, the whisky has a golden honey color, along with an aroma of ripe citrus, orange zest and fragrant spices. The aroma gives way to notes of toffee, creamy vanilla, pepper and coffee beans on the palate, and leads to a finish accented by touches of oak spices and sweet fruit. "This blend is created with exact precision as Captain McCoy himself would approve to celebrate the 80th anniversary of such a significant era," says Kirsteen Campbell, the distillery's Master Blender. Pick up a bottle today!

Situated on the Recherlich Farm in the Speyside region of Scotland, Glenfarclas Distillery was founded in 1836 by Robert Hay, a tenant farmer. In 1865, John Grant purchased the distillery from Hay for 511. Grant was a cattle breeder at the time, and was looking for a staging post between his farm in Glenlivet and the commercial market situated in Elgin. When Grant passed away in 1889, he left the estate to his son George. George died shortly thereafter and his children, also named George and John Grant, took control of the distillery. After saving the distillery from the brinks of bankruptcy, the Grant Brothers modernized and expanded the operations such that in May 1912, a rival distiller wrote "of all the whiskies, malt is king of all the kings, Glenfarclas reigns supreme." Today, George S. Grant the great-great-great grandson of a cattle farmer represents the sixth generation of Grants that own and manage the Glenfarclas Distillery, one of the last remaining independent distilleries in Scotland. Glenfarclas 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from freshly harvested barley, which is steeped in water sourced from the heather-clad slopes of the Ben Rinnes mountain. The crystal-clear spring water, which cascades down the 3,000-foot mountain through peat and granite, is the lifeblood of the Glenfarclas Distillery. After the barley is malted, it is is milled and mashed before being fermented using 100% cultured Distiller's yeast. The wash the liquid that remains after fermentation is then distilled twice through Glenfarclas' copper-pot stills. While most distilleries use steam-powered stills as they are more efficient and preserve the lifespan of the still, Glenfarclas Distillery continues to use traditional direct-heated stills in order to preserve the traditional flavors of the whisky. After distillation, the heads and tails of the distillate (the whisky produced at the beginning and end of the distillation process) are discarded and only about 15% of the distillate the heart of hearts is preserved for maturation. Glenfarclas 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured for 17 years in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks (the sherry casks had previously matured Oloroso or Fino sherry in Seville, Spain). As a result, the single malt has an aroma of butterscotch and smoke, which gives way to full-bodied and lush notes of cherries, honeyed oak, sweet malt and peat. The lingering finish has hints of vanilla, sherry and coffee. Glenfarclas 17-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky earned a score of 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and from the Beverage Testing Institute. In addition, it earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In 1815, Donald and Alexander Johnston began leasing nearly 1,000 acres of land on the island of Islay. Their intent was to use the land in order to raise and sell cattle and as a result, they began growing barley to be used as feed for their livestock. Following a particularly bountiful harvest, the brothers distilled the excess grains they had grown into whisky, and sold it to the inhabitants of the island. Soon thereafter, the brothers found it more profitable to distill whisky rather than raise cattle, and Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Distillery was born. For over a century, the distillery would remain in the hands of one of Johnston's descendants. In 1954, however, Ian Hunter passed away childless and bequeathed the distillery to Bessie Williamson, a secretary that had been working at the distillery for two decades. Hunter was incredibly protective of the distillery while he slowly revealed its secrets to Williamson after she had earned his trust, Hunter prevented a cooper who was employed at the distillery from publishing his memoirs because they described the workings of the distillery in too great a detail. Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Whisky is one of the most flavorful and intense whiskies made anywhere in the world. During Prohibition, it was one of the few whiskies still legally imported into the United States, as it was considered a medicinal spirit. Laphroaig Single Malt is made from the finest Scottish barley, which is then malted at the distillery and smoked over a peat flame. Unlike other distilleries which source peat from the Scottish mainland, the peat used to smoke Laphroaig barley is made from the heather, mosses and lichens of Islay and adds a distinct iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been malted and peated, it is fermented before being twice-distilled through Laphroaig's copper-pot stills. The unique stills have an usually flat base and flat surfaces, which contributes to the overall intensity of the whisky. Following distillation, Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in quarter casks. Quarter casks were used in the 19th century to transport whisky via horse or mule, as the animals could not carry the weight of traditional casks. As a result of their small size, the casks have a greater proportion of surface area to volume and thus, contribute stronger notes of oak and wood tannins to the whisky maturing inside. In addition, the casks "breathe" more deeply and as a result, provide a touch of salty tang to the whisky as well. Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky has an autumn gold color, along with an aroma of tropical fruits and smoke. The aroma gives way to notes of citrus, malt, cinnamon and oak on the palate, which are complemented by a subtle smoky undertone. The finish is refreshing and peaty, with touches of caramel and vanilla throughout. Laphroaig Quarter Cask earned the Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and earned a score of 93 points from the Beverage Testing Institute. In addition, it earned a score of 90-95 points from Wine Enthusiast.

About the Brand

Situated at the end of a small single track road, on the shores of the Sound of Islay, Bunnahabhain is known for its spectacular surroundings and delicious signature unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky.

Our 18 Year Old is one of our most awarded Single Malts and once you’ve tasted it you’ll understand the wealth of gold medals it has achieved. The deep mahogany colour of the whisky gives away the exclusive sherry cask maturation and the tang of salt on the tongue reminds you of our coastal location.

With warehouses positioned along the shore and a bay fed by the Sound of Islay, there is no escaping the salty sea air, especially when you’re maturing by it for 18 years.

Tasting Notes

Color: Rich mahogany gold.

Nose: Fragrant with notes of dried fruit, rich honeyed nuts, toffee and slight hints of spice.

Palate: Notes of mellow sherried nuts, dried fruit and rich oak, with toffee and a slight tang of salt from its maturation of 18yrs at the coast.

Finish: A dry fruit finish with a hint of spice and salt.

Nearly two centuries ago, the town of Campbeltown, located on a narrow peninsula in southwest Scotland, was considered the whisky capital of the world. Passengers arriving by sea at Campbeltown Loch nestled between Macringan's Point and the rocky island of Davaar were greeted with the sails and masts of the herring fishing fleet and the smoking chimneys of nearly thirty different distilleries that called Campbeltown home. Two hundred years later, Campbeltown Loch is considerably quieter and only three chimneys continue to billow smoke each acting as a beacon for an industry that, at one point, dominated the peninsula. In 1828, Springbank Distillery was founded on the site of Archibald Mitchell's illicit still in Campbeltown. (Today, Mitchell's great-great-great-grandson owns the distillery). Within ten years, its whisky was so well-regarded that a blender by the name of John Walker purchased 118 gallons of whisky from Springbank at 43 pence a gallon. By the turn of the century as worldwide demand for Scotch whisky seemed insatiable distilleries throughout Scotland began cutting corners and outsourcing parts of the distillation process. Springbank Distillery, however, remained true to its Scottish heritage and today, remains one of only two distilleries in Scotland to perform every step of the whisky making process from malting barley to bottling whisky on the same premises. After malting and lightly peating the barley (using locally cut peat), the distillers at Springbank mill and mash it in cast-iron mash tuns that are nearly a century old. The pure spring water used during the mashing process is sourced from Crosshill Loch, which in turn is fed by springs seeping from the northern slopes of 1,100-foot tall Beinn Ghuilean. After mashing the grains, the wash is slowly fermented over the course of 70 hours one of the longest fermentation processes in Scotland before being distilled. Because some of the wash is distilled twice and some is distilled three times, Springbank Whisky is said to be distilled two and a half times. Following distillation, Springbank 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in a combination of casks that were previously used to mature sherry (80%) and casks that were previously used to mature bourbon (20%). During maturation, the perennial gulf stream adds a slight hint of saltiness to the whisky, which complements its notes of rich fruits and caramel. Springbank 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky has a golden honey color, along with an aroma of orange, sherry, whipped cream, papaya and citrus. The aroma gives way to notes of eucalyptus, buttered dough, vanilla, toffee and red fruits on the palate, and leads to a finish accented by touches of citrus peels, coconuts and molasses. The whisky was named "Best Campbeltown Malt" at the World Whiskies Awards and earned four stars from F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal.

Nearly two centuries ago, the town of Campbeltown, located on a narrow peninsula in southwest Scotland, was considered the whisky capital of the world. Passengers arriving by sea at Campbeltown Loch nestled between Macringan's Point and the rocky island of Davaar were greeted with the sails and masts of the herring fishing fleet and the smoking chimneys of nearly thirty different distilleries that called Campbeltown home. Two hundred years later, Campbeltown Loch is considerably quieter and only three chimneys continue to billow smoke each acting as a beacon for an industry that, at one point, dominated the peninsula. In 1828, Springbank Distillery was founded on the site of Archibald Mitchell's illicit still in Campbeltown. (Today, Mitchell's great-great-great-grandson owns the distillery.) Within ten years, its whisky was so well-regarded that a blender by the name of John Walker purchased 118 gallons of whisky from Springbank at 43 pence a gallon. By the turn of the century as worldwide demand for Scotch whisky seemed insatiable distilleries throughout Scotland began cutting corners and outsourcing parts of the distillation process. Springbank Distillery, however, remained true to its Scottish heritage and today, remains one of only two distilleries in Scotland to perform every step of the whisky making process from malting barley to bottling whisky on the same premises. After malting and lightly peating the barley (using locally cut peat), the distillers at Springbank mill and mash it in cast-iron mash tuns that are nearly a century old. The pure spring water used during the mashing process is sourced from Crosshill Loch, which in turn is fed by springs seeping from the northern slopes of 1,100-foot tall Beinn Ghuilean. After mashing the grains, the wash is slowly fermented over the course of 70 hours one of the longest fermentation processes in Scotland before being distilled. Because some of the wash is distilled twice and some is distilled three times, Springbank Whisky is said to be distilled two and a half times. Following distillation, the whisky is fractionated and matured in fresh sherry hogshead casks (60%) and refill sherry butts (40%). In addition, since Campbeltown is located on a narrow peninsula, the strong, perennial sea winds, warmed by the gulf stream, add a slight hint of saltiness to the whisky as it ages. Following maturation, the whisky is bottled at cask strength. Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength Whisky has a rich, luscious aroma with notes of toffee, caramel and marmalade. The initial flavors of butterscotch, plums and dark fruits give way to a full body with notes of tangerines, milk chocolate and wood spices. The finish is sweet and rich, with a hint of smoke. Only 9,360 bottles of this Springbank 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch have ever been produced, and most have already been consumed.

Situated on the banks of Lagavulin Bay on the island of Islay, Lagavulin Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Distilling took place on the banks of Lagavulin Bay as early as 1742, and by the turn of the century, there were as many as ten illicit stills operating in the area. In 1816, John Johnson founded the first legal distillery on the site, and within a year Archibald Campbell had opened a second. After Johnson's death, Alexander Graham acquired Johnston's distillery for 1,100 and eventually united the two distilleries together under the Lagavulin name. Since that time, the rich, peaty water that runs down the brown burn and through the Solan Lochs into the hills just next to Lagavulin Bay has served as the lifeblood of the distillery. Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky is known as one of the most intense, smoky single malt whiskies ever made the peated barley used to create Lagavulin Single Malt has up to twenty times more exposure to peat smoke than typical Scotches. Once the grains used to craft Lagavulin Whisky have been harvested and malted, they are dried over a peat and gas fire calibrated specifically to produce Lagavulin's signature, bold flavor profile. The grains are then milled and mashed before being fermented for approximately 72 hours. Following fermentation, the whisky is distilled twice first through a wash still for approximately five hours and then again through a spirit distill for approximately nine hours. This is the slowest distillation process of any Islay distillery, and gives Lagavulin its characteristic round flavors and mellow edges. Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured for 16 years in traditional, oak casks in the distillery's warehouses. During its maturation, Iain McArthur, Lagavulin warehouseman, ensures that the whisky matures evenly and consistently (McArthur has been working at the distillery for over four decades). After the whisky has matured in traditional oak casks, it is double-barreled, or finished, in casks that were previously used to mature sherry made from Pedro Ximinez grapes. Once harvested, Pedro Ximinez grapes shrivel up to a raisin-like state, which concentrates the sugars in the grape and results in a sweet wine with legendary viscosity and intensity. This double-maturation process complements the intensely smoky notes of the whisky and adds an additional layer of complexity. Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch has an aroma of intense raisins, prunes and smoke. The initial notes are surprisingly sweet, with subtle hints of caramel, vanilla and dates that are balanced by a smoky undertone. The ever-lasting finish has deep, dark notes of red fruits and a round, bold finish.

Situated along a rugged farm on the western coast of Islay, Kilochman Distillery was founded in 2005 and is the first new distillery on Islay in over 125 years. "When we first started work on Kilchoman in 2003," says Anthony Wills, the distillery's founder, "the ambition was to build a distillery that was true to the traditions of distilling on Islay small farm distillers where every part of the whisky making process was done on site and I think we have managed to do just that." Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from Publican barley grown directly on Kilochman Distillery's campus (Publican barley is more resilient to Islay's harsh weather than traditional strains of barley). Once the barley has been harvested, it is malted at the distillery's malthouse Kilchoman is one of just six distilleries in Scotland that continues to malt its own barley before being dried over a peat flame for ten hours. After the barley has been peated to approximately 20 phenol parts per million, the grains are fermented for three to four days in stainless steel washbacks before being twice distilled through Kilchoman's copper-pot stills. Kilchoman Machir Bay 2013 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is crafted from a marriage of four and five year-old whiskies that have matured in American oak casks that were previously used to mature bourbon. Following its initial maturation, a portion of the whisky is double-barreled, or finished, for approximately one month in casks that were previously used to mature Oloroso Sherry. "We practice a very strict wood policy regime at Kilchoman, which is crucial in our ability to produce such a high-quality young single malt," says Wills. As a result of the extraordinary strain of barley used to craft the whisky, along with its unique maturation process, the whisky has a peaty aroma with touches of salty tang and citrus. The aroma gives way to notes of vanilla, coconuts, papaya and malt on the palate, which are balanced by hints of cinnamon and baking spices. The finish is peaty and fresh, with a long, lingering touch of vanilla and caramel. Kilchoman Machir Bay Single Malt Whisky was named the Whisky of the Year at the International Whisky Competition in 2013. In addition, the whisky earned the Gold Medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2012.

Situated over 1,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Monadhliath Mountains, Tomatin Distillery is one of the highest distilleries in Scotland. Its origins date back to the 15th century when drovers, bringing their cattle over the high mountain passes to the Tomatin market, filled their flasks from a still hidden at the Old Laird's House, which is situated adjacent to the distillery. Since that time, centuries of isolation and generations of family tradition (some workers at the distillery are the fifth generation of their family to work there) have created a distillery rooted in Scottish heritage and tradition. Tomatin 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from plump, Scottish barley. After the barley is harvested, it is mashed and fermented before being distilled twice through Tomatin's copper-pot stills. The stills have a round, flat shape that gives the whisky a rounder and sweeter flavor profile, notes Douglas Campbell, Tomatin's master distiller. Campbell, who began working at the distillery in 1961, joined Tomatin as an accountant, doing clerical work. "After that, the managing director, John McDonald, took me under his wing and gave me the chance to work in different parts of the distillery. I did mashing for three or four years, distilling for a couple of years, worked in the warehouses. Eventually, I was one of the charge hands getting casks ready for dispatch." Campbell has over fifty years of experience at Tomatin Distillery. "My father worked here as a cooper, my wife worked here for 10 years as secretary for the managing director, and my son works here now in the warehouse. I was born in Tomatin, I belong to Tomatin." Once Campbell has distilled the whisky, it is matured for over 15 years in casks that were previously used to age bourbon. After its initial beautyrest, the whisky is double-barreled, or finished, for a minimum of 18 months in Spanish oak casks that were previously used to mature Oloroso Sherry. The Spanish oak casks contribute notes of red fruits, tobacco and honeyed oak to the whisky, and complement its notes of maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and apple. "The combination of flavours and aromas achieved by the use of these differing casks is fantastic," says Graham Eunson, Tomatin's Distillery Manager. "There's always a sense of anticipation and excitement when you experience a potential new whisky for the first time and in this case, those emotions were well justified." Tomatin 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2014, and was named the "Best Highland Single Malt (13-20 Years of Age)" at the World Whiskies Awards in 2013. In addition, it earned a score of 96 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2012, which called the whisky "extraordinary."