Tomatin Year of the Horse Single Cask Whisky (2026)
Tomatin Celebrates Lunar New Year with Year of the Horse Single Cask Release. Philip Day provides information on an exciting new dram for 2026.
Tomatin Highland distillery
To welcome the 2026 Lunar New Year, Highland distillery Tomatin has unveiled an ultra-limited Year of the Horse single cask whisky, honouring the Chinese zodiac sign associated with strength, vitality, and adventure.
This exclusive release is a 2011 vintage single malt, matured in a single first fill Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry butt. Uniquely, the cask is a bota gorda—larger than a standard sherry butt—sourced directly from a bodega in Jerez, Spain. Its time in a sherry solera has layered the whisky with rich PX sweetness, while the cask’s generous size allows Tomatin’s elegant spirit to retain its subtle complexity.
Presented non-chill filtered and natural in colour, the whisky comes in Tomatin’s signature bottle, finished with ornate red artwork – its bold red label reflecting the Lunar New Year symbolism, representing good fortune, positivity, and energy.
According to Jamie Muir, Distillery Manager at Tomatin, the release is a rare occasion:
We don’t often release single cask whiskies to the global market, however this sweet, fruity and structured Tomatin single malt seemed the perfect way to toast the Lunar New Year.”
He also highlighted the deeper connection between Jerez and the Year of the Horse. Renowned not only for sherry but also for its horses—particularly the historic Carthusian breed dating back to the 15th century—Jerez shares a heritage era with Tomatin, making the whisky a fitting tribute to the zodiac’s elegance and power.
Tomatin Year of the Horse Single Cask – tasting highlights
- Nose: Orange zest, dried cranberries, honeycomb, candy floss
- Palate: Candied almonds, toffee apples, sultanas, salted liquorice
- Finish: Long, rounded, with lingering baking spice
Beyond the flavour profile, the release reflects Tomatin’s “To What Matters” ethos—celebrating shared traditions, meaningful moments, and lasting connections, values closely aligned with Lunar New Year festivities.
With roots stretching back to the 15th century and an official establishment in 1897, Tomatin remains a living community. More than half of its team still live on site, and it is one of the few Scotch distilleries to maintain its own cooperage.
Bottled at a natural 56.5% ABV, the Tomatin Year of the Horse 2026 is limited to just 817 individually numbered bottles, priced at £95 (70cl) and is available now from specialist retailers worldwide.
For more details of this release and further information about the brand and its distillery, visit tomatin.com.