Tobermory distillery

Introduction to Tobermory

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Tobermory is a historic Scottish distillery located on the picturesque Isle of Mull, representing one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland. With its colorful buildings nestled against the harbor backdrop, this Hebridean gem produces whiskies that capture the essence of its island location and maritime heritage.

The distillery’s unique position on Mull allows it to create spirits that reflect both the rugged landscape and the surrounding sea, resulting in whiskies with distinct character and depth.

Why we have a soft spot for Tobermory

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries with genuine character and authenticity, qualities that Tobermory possesses in abundance. What sets Tobermory apart is its dual personality – producing both the unpeated Tobermory and the peated Ledaig expressions from the same stills.

We admire their commitment to traditional production methods and the way their whiskies capture the island’s personality – sometimes gentle and fruity, sometimes wild and smoky, but always with remarkable craftsmanship.

The History behind Tobermory

Origin and development

Tobermory Distillery was established in 1798, making it one of Scotland’s oldest commercial distilleries. Originally named Ledaig (pronounced ‘letch-ig’), it was founded by John Sinclair in the newly established fishing village of Tobermory.

The distillery has weathered a turbulent history, experiencing multiple closures and changes of ownership throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. After a significant closure from 1930 to 1972, Tobermory was revived and has since become an essential part of Scotland’s whisky landscape.

In 1993, Burn Stewart Distillers acquired Tobermory, leading to further investment and renewed focus on quality. Today, it operates under the ownership of Distell Group, producing some of the most distinctive island malts available.

The people behind

The distillery team at Tobermory combines island heritage with whisky expertise. Master distillers and blenders work meticulously to maintain the distinct profiles of both Tobermory and Ledaig whiskies, honoring traditions while embracing subtle innovations.

Their craftsmanship reflects an intimate knowledge of the distillery’s equipment and the island’s unique conditions, resulting in spirits that faithfully represent their island home while meeting the high expectations of whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Tobermory’s production begins with quality Scottish barley, although the distillery itself does not have malting facilities. The malted barley used for Ledaig expressions is peated to specific levels to achieve its distinctive smoky character.

Water sourced from the Mishnish Lochs provides the pure, soft water essential to the distillery’s operations. The distillation occurs in the traditional copper pot stills, whose unique shapes contribute significantly to the whisky’s character.

What makes Tobermory special is that it produces two distinct single malt styles from the same equipment: the unpeated Tobermory and the peated Ledaig. This dual production approach showcases the distillery’s versatility and craftsmanship.

Maturation and aging

The spirit matures in a variety of oak casks, including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and wine casks. This aging process takes place primarily on the mainland, where warehousing conditions differ from the island climate.

The influence of wood and time transforms the spirit, with many expressions spending 10, 12, 15 years or more developing complexity and character. Tobermory also releases exceptional single cask expressions, capturing unique moments in the distillery’s production history.

Selected Products from Tobermory

Tobermory 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This signature expression exemplifies the unpeated character of Tobermory with its vibrant, fruity profile. Notes of vanilla, citrus peel, and subtle spice combine with a gentle maritime influence and a creamy mouthfeel.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, the 12 Year Old offers a perfect entry point for those seeking to understand Tobermory’s elegant, unpeated style and the influence of its island location.

Ledaig 10 Year Old – A journey to the peated side

Representing the distillery’s alter ego, Ledaig 10 Year Old showcases robust peat smoke balanced with maritime salt, pepper, and orchard fruits. Its oily texture and complex interplay between smoke and sweetness make it a favorite among peat enthusiasts looking for something distinctive.

This expression demonstrates how the same distillery can produce such contrasting styles, with Ledaig offering a bolder, more intense drinking experience compared to its Tobermory counterpart.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Tobermory Distillery welcomes visitors to its colorful harbor-side location on the Isle of Mull. Tours offer insight into the production process, from mashing to distillation, with knowledgeable guides explaining the unique aspects of creating both Tobermory and Ledaig expressions.

The visitor experience typically includes tastings of several expressions, allowing guests to compare the unpeated and peated styles side by side. The dramatic island setting adds an extra dimension to the visit, connecting the whisky to its distinctive terroir.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tobermory?

Tobermory is a Scottish whisky distillery located on the Isle of Mull that produces two distinct styles of single malt whisky: the unpeated Tobermory and the peated Ledaig. The distillery combines traditional production methods with the unique influences of its island location to create whiskies with authentic character and exceptional quality.

Where is Tobermory located?

The distillery is situated in the colorful fishing village of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland’s Inner Hebridean islands. This remote location, accessible by ferry from the mainland, contributes to the distinctive maritime character found in both their whisky expressions.

What characterizes Tobermory?

Tobermory is known for producing two contrasting styles from the same stills: the unpeated, fruity, and complex Tobermory and the robustly peated, maritime Ledaig. Both expressions share an underlying craftsmanship and attention to detail, with distinctive coastal influences and exceptional balance between various flavor components.

Where can I buy whisky from Tobermory?

You can find selected bottles from Tobermory at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate our collection to include both core expressions and limited releases from this historic distillery, ensuring you have access to some of the finest examples of their craftsmanship.