Tomatin Distillery regularly releases special limited-edition series using casks from various countries. They have previously presented a selection of casks from France and Portugal. In September this year, they revealed the latest in the series: the Italian Collection.
Italian Collection
Tomatin Italian Collection consist of three different wine cask finishes: Marsala, Amarone and Barolo. All three were distilled on the 6th of December 2010 and left to mature for ten years in ex-bourbon casks. In February 2021 the spirit was moved into Italian wine casks for a further two years before being bottled at 46% ABV. All three releases are priced at £70.
The colour was very similar in all three of these releases even though no caramel colourings were used – it’s all just a coincidence. The colour was deep golden, peach syrup-like, with the Barolo edition being slightly darker.
Learn more about Tomatin Distillery and their core range whiskies. Visiting Tomatin Distillery
The Marsala Edition
Marsala wine is a fortified wine from Sicily. It is commonly used in cooking to create nutty, rich caramelized sauces. The most common flavours are vanilla, brown sugar, stewed apricot and tamarind. Marsala wine ranges from a nearly dry style to very sweet.
Nose: Barley, dried fruits on porridge, distillery aromas, cranberries, rye bread with butter. Air opens the nose and brings out more candied orange peel, Christmassy smells and red wine.
Palate: White chocolate-coated raisins, dairy-free vanilla pudding, Christmas cake with vanilla icing, festive baking spices, blood orange, citrus and vanilla.
Finish: Citrusy, sweet oaky spices.
The Amarone Edition
Amarone is a rich, full-bodied Italian red wine made from partially dried grapes. Due to the amount of fruit used, as well as the long fermentation and ageing processes, Amarone wine has a rich and powerful flavour and high alcohol content.
The bouquet of aromas includes blackberry, ripe berries, tobacco, liquorice, and medium acidity.
Nose: Barley, homemade dense bread, sweet red apple, raisins, hay or some sort of dried grass. Feels quite young.
Palate: Subtle ginger spice, salt & honey-coated almonds, birthday cake with whipped cream, jam and berries, Amarena cherries.
Finish: Strawberry-infused well-aged balsamic vinegar (in a good way) and strawberry & cream lollipop.
The Barolo Edition
Barolo is a red wine produced in the Piedmont region. The wines are made from Nebbiolo, a small, thin skinned red grape variety, which is naturally high in acidity and tannins.
Rose flower, tar, and dried herbs are aromas associated with Barolo wines. The palate includes notes of cherry, violet, rose, red fruit, sweet spice, and earthiness.
Nose: Dried fruits, damp forest walk, mushrooms, cherry yoghurt, blackcurrant cordial, cranberries, red apple.
Palate: Caramel sweetness, marmalade, toasted oak, warming winter spices, almonds, rosemary and cranberries.
Finish: Slightly creamy, potato peel.
Overall
These were lighter than I was expecting, and at times I felt like I really had to nose for a while to make sense of the aromas. The Amarone especially felt very young on the nose.
As we are getting closer to Christmas, I did enjoy the Christmassy feel of all these releases. There were plenty of festive baking spices, mulled wine and citrusy scents and flavours to fit the season. I enjoyed the nose of the Barolo the most, but on the palate, the winner for me was the Marsala.
Having tried the Tomatin Portuguese Collection, I have to admit that I much preferred those to the Italian Collection. I really wanted to like these too, but I think I’ll rather reach for Tomatin 14-Year-Old Port finish from the core range.
Have you tried any Tomatin limited-edition releases? Which one is your favourite from the latest Tomatin Italian Collection?
Disclaimer: Tomatin Italian Collection samples were gifted. Some of the links used are affiliate links. If you buy through the links, I may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price for you.
Photo credit: All images by Tomatin Distillery
Inka Larissa is an award-winning freelance spirits writer, content creator and Whisky Influencer of the Year 2026. Writing about whisky, cocktails and spirits since 2015, she explores the world of spirits from seed to glass. She is also co-host of the Whisky Sisters podcast.
2 Comments
Some time ago I read that Italy was where the single malt market first took off in the 1960s and 70s. I can’t remember the details but that makes these whiskies all the more interesting to me, I must track them down
Oh that’s interesting! I must look into this.