Tobermory Old Particular 1996 21 Years Single Malt Whisky

Tobermory Distillery, located on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, boasts a rich heritage dating back to its founding in 1798. In spring 2017, the distillery embarked on an extensive renovation project that extended well beyond initial projections, remaining closed for over two years. This prolonged closure was partly attributed to parent company Distell Group's simultaneous renovation of their Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay. During this extended hiatus, Tobermory utilized the downtime for innovative experimentation, developing Tobermory Hebridean Gin using a small-scale experimental still. Launched in 2019, this gin uniquely combines neutral grain spirit with Tobermory's new make whisky spirit and incorporates botanicals foraged from the Isle of Mull. Historically, all whisky from the distillery was marketed under the Tobermory name until the 1930s closure. Following that period, the distillery adopted a dual-brand strategy, producing both unpeated Tobermory whisky and peated Ledaig whisky, with the latter featuring a phenol content of 38-40ppm. The renovation period saw significant equipment modernization. In 2019, the distillery replaced its 45-year-old, 5-ton cast iron mash tun with a brand-new vessel of identical capacity. The facility also operates four new wooden fermentation vats with fermentation times ranging from 48-100 hours, and two sets of copper pot stills. Two stills were replaced in August 2014, with the remaining two updated in 2019. Prior to the 2017 closure, Tobermory operated at full capacity, mashing eight batches weekly and producing 750,000 liters of new make spirit annually, with a production split of 55% Ledaig and 45% Tobermory. Post-renovation production targets for 2019 were set at 500,000 liters. The distillery's core range includes the redesigned Tobermory 12 Year Old (replacing the previous 12-year expression), Tobermory 10 Year Old, and Ledaig 18 Year Old. Recent limited releases showcase innovative cask finishes, including Tobermory 19 Year Old Marsala cask, Ledaig 13 Year Old Port cask, and Ledaig 21 Year Old Manzanilla cask. At the time of writing, the distillery has also introduced Tobermory 2007 Vintage Sherry cask and Ledaig 1997 Vintage Port cask expressions.