Old-bottle Cadenhead’s Tomatin 13 years old
Today, we taste a Tomatin bottled by one of the oldest independent bottlers of Scotland. I picked up this bottle during my visit to Campbeltown in January 2026, where we also heard a news fact. The Cadenhead bottlings will soon change appearance, as a result of all the things happening at parent company J&A Mitchell, that also owns the Springbank and Kilkerran distilleries. The good people at Cadenhead’s did not want to reveal anything more, and it is a great testament to them that they did indeed not spill the beans. We have to wait until this new bottle hits the shelf. Of course, with the new bottling plant being opened soon (or already opened, don’t know exactly), Cadenhead’s was bound to have more flexibility as well. I think I picked up on a rumour that the new bottles with resemble more what they have at Springbank and Kilkerran, so perhaps a bit more bulky and dumpy. Anyway, today we taste a highland malt from that interesting square glass bottle. Will we miss that design?
Tomatin 13 years old, vintage 2011, bottled at 51,3 % abv by Cadenhead’s
First things first: A bottling under the Chairman’s Stock label, which was always a more prestigious stamp compared to the regular Authentic Collection. This bourbon barrel, one of a twin set, was bottled in October 2025. Only 198 bottles came out of the wood.
Upon Sipping: Opening on citrus peel and smoky heathery notes and the slightest hint of tinned pineapple juice. We are crossing over, from the highland style that Tomatin has in its early years, to the more Irish character in the mid-teens to more mature years. That is what I love about Tomatin on a plain barrel, not too much vanilla, but already a development towards tropical fruits. Even though in its infancy here, it is coming along nicely. The taste holds the middle between those elements as well, smoke, some bitter herbs, but also some pineapple and mango, mixed with not so ripe lemons. The finish has already made a choice, that is full on fruit, only balanced by a little alcohol hotness. I am sure this Tomatin Chairman’s Stock expression can swim, so we add a good drop of water. It does little for the nose, but the palate is more sour now, the citrus peels speaking up. Towards the finish it turns into a young Cooley-like clone. This is delicate character, that can easily loose its charm when buried under exotic casks like wine or even sherry. This bourbon makes the true character of Tomatin shine.
Word to the Wise: Unbothered Tomatin from a cask that does not mind being in the backseat. Offers the power of a highland malt with already the elegance of fruity maturity, with a kick of smoke and heather. Lovely!
Score: 87 points.