What happens when a Highland single malt flirts with a rare French dessert wine? You get Tomatin’s French Collection: Edition 3 The Rivesaltes Cask. As the third chapter in a four part series, this limited release explores the lush, sun-drenched influence of southern France’s Rivesaltes, a fortified wine known for its sweetness and complexity. The result? A whisky that’s soft, golden, and unapologetically indulgent.

Tomatin French Collection: Edition 3 of 4 – The Rivesaltes Cask (Limited Edition)
Brand: Tomatin | Category: Highland Single Malt | ABV: 46% | Origin: Highlands, Scotland | Vol: 70cl

Tasting Profile:
Nose: A burst of golden raisins, poached pears, honeycomb, and soft cinnamon, with a gentle waxy note like antique wood furniture in the sun.
Palate: Rich yet refined, sultanas, orange marmalade, nougat, and almonds dipped in white chocolate. The sweetness is balanced with a light tannic grip.
Finish: Long and warming, with dried apricot, subtle spice, and a gentle, winey glow that lingers gracefully.

Production Details:
Distilled in 2008 and aged in traditional oak before being finished in Rivesaltes wine casks from France’s Languedoc region, this expression reveals how a fortified wine can add texture and vibrancy to whisky. Non chill filtered and bottled at 46%, it showcases the subtle elegance that comes from patient finishing and thoughtful wood selection.

Perfect For:
Slow, golden-hour sipping with a cheese board, dried fruits, and a soft breeze coming through the window. A perfect whisky for those who love the balance between sweetness and sophistication.

Expert Notes:
The Rivesaltes Cask release stands out for its smooth integration of dessert wine influence, more nuanced than sherry, and lighter than port. Whisky reviewers praised it for being both expressive and drinkable, making it a standout in the collection for those drawn to gentle richness.

Customer Reviews:
🗣️ “Bright, sweet, and mellow, feels like a whisky kissed by sunshine.”
🗣️ “I didn’t even know what Rivesaltes was before this… now I’m hunting down the bottle.”
🗣️ “Subtle and elegant. Not too loud, but full of flavor. A quiet masterpiece.”

Interesting Fact:
Rivesaltes is a lesser-known French fortified wine typically aged oxidatively, which gives the casks a distinct character, think honeyed fruit and nutty depth, making them a rare and exciting choice for whisky finishing.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve neat in a wide rimmed glass to appreciate its delicate aromas. Try it with salted nuts or a slice of fig and almond cake to highlight the wine kissed profile. A small splash of water will open up more dried fruit notes.

Distillery Background:
Tomatin Distillery, high in the Scottish Highlands since 1897, blends heritage with innovation. Once Scotland’s largest malt distillery, it now focuses on quality over quantity, crafting soft, approachable malts known for their fruity style. The French Collection is a bold step into cask experimentation, revealing how Tomatin’s Highland elegance plays beautifully with international flair.