Why Tomatin finishes its whisky in Italian wine casks
Amarone, Barolo, and Marsala are names you would expect to see on a wine list rather than on a bottle of Scotch whisky. Yet, these are precisely the casks in which Tomatin ages a portion of its Highland single malt. With the Italian Collection in 2023, the distillery did something that few Scottish brands do: three whiskies that each spend their final years in casks from renowned Italian wineries.
In short
| Name | The Italian Collection |
| Launched | 2023 |
| Basic maturation | 10 years in traditional oak barrels |
| Maturation | approximately 2 years in Italian wine barrels |
| Three editions | Amarone, Barolo, Marsala |
Three wine regions, three characters
Every edition in the Italian Collection starts the same way: ten years of aging in traditional oak, the foundation of Tomatin's recognizable, soft Highland style. Only then do their paths diverge. The Amarone Edition matures in barrels previously held by Amarone della Valpolicella, the robust red wine made from dried grapes with concentrated, dark fruitiness. The Barolo Edition is placed in barrels previously held by what is known in Italy as "the king of wines": the powerful, tannic Barolo from Piedmont. And the Marsala Edition — the sweetest of the three — matures in barrels previously held by the fortified dessert wine from Sicily.
Why Italian wine barrels, and not the usual sherry or port?
Sherry casks from Jerez and port casks from the Douro Valley are familiar territory in the Scottish whisky world — virtually every distillery uses them somewhere in its range. Italian wine casks are much less so. For Tomatin, a brand that has positioned itself for years as "the softer side of the Highlands", the fruity, wine-like influences of Amarone, Barolo, and Marsala fit well with its house style: light, soft, and fruity, without the smokiness found in some other Scotch whiskies.
Part of a broader tradition
The Italian Collection does not stand alone within Tomatin. The distillery has long been building a reputation for unusual cask choices — from the classic bourbon and sherry casks in the core range to the experimental cask programs of the peated sister brand Cù Bòcan. The Italian Collection fits into that tradition, but consciously chooses an entirely unique approach: not Spain or Portugal, but Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Italian Collection by Tomatin?
A series of three Highland single malts that, after 10 years of maturation in traditional oak, undergo a secondary maturation of approximately 2 years in casks from Italian wineries: Amarone, Barolo, and Marsala.
When was the Italian Collection launched?
In 2023.
What is the difference between the three editions?
The Amarone Edition has a concentrated, dark fruitiness, the Barolo Edition is more powerful and tannic, and the Marsala Edition is the sweetest of the three thanks to the fortified dessert wine from Sicily.
Why does Tomatin choose Italian wine barrels instead of sherry or port?
Because the fruity, wine-like influence of Italian wine casks aligns well with Tomatin's own house style — light, soft, and fruity — and distinguishes the whisky from the familiar sherry and port casks used by virtually every distillery.
Is the Italian Collection typical of Tomatin?
Tomatin has been experimenting with unusual barrel finishes for some time, including at its peated sister brand Cù Bòcan.The Italian Collection is one of the most striking examples of that.
