Highland distillery Tomatin unveils new quiz which pairs people with their whiskies

A whisky distillery in the Highlands has unveiled an innovative new 'people pairing' quiz which aims to match personality traits to different expressions in their core range of single malt whiskies.

Published 6th Dec 2017
Updated 21 st Sep 2023

Tomatin distillery created the quiz based on the notion that certain personality traits could match the different characteristics of their core range.

Those wishing to take the test to find the best pairing for them can find it on the distillery's website - www.tomatin.com/people-pairing.

Master distiller, Graham Eunson explained that the distillery's core range is extensive meaning he has "no doubt that there is a whisky to match every personality".

He said: "By breaking down each expression to a certain flavor profile, I have tried to match these to five distinct personality types. It may not be definitive, but I believe that this shows that everyone can enjoy whisky.

"It'll be interesting to see how the public reacts to their Tomatin's paired whiskies."

To launch the personality pairing test, the brand held a tasting with master distiller Graham Eunson, who matched three celebrities to their 12-Year Old, 18-Year Old and 36-Year old whiskies.

The three celebrities involved were legendary cyclist Victoria Pendleton, fashion designer Henry Holland and Alpinist and 12-time Everest conqueror Kenton Cool.

Henry Holland, the famed Mancunian fashion designer to the stars, businessman and Internet personality, was matched with the smooth 12-Year Old.

The brand said that this malt was known for being easy to drink and "synonymous with a relaxed, yet charming, sophistication", making it the perfect pairing for a man as "suave and confident" as Henry Holland.

Victoria Pendleton's personality's perfect tipple was the 18-Year Old and is the winner of the most gold medals within Tomatin's core range.

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The track-cyclist is a nine-time world champion, and Tomatin says -just like her paired whisky - is "classy, ambitious and, as one of Great Britain's most successful female Olympians, definitely an achiever".

Finally, Kenton Cool, who, having climbed Mount Everest a staggering 12 times, is one of Britain's leading alpine and high altitude climbers.

As an experienced over-achiever, Graham explained that he was a "handsome match for Tomatin's 36-Year Old", a "world-class, mature dram" that was voted Best Scotch in the world at the San Francisco Spirit Awards 2017.

University of Edinburgh Psychologist Dr Adam Moore has investigated the link between personality types and whisky preference.

He said: "Some research has previously been done that can pair certain personality traits with key whisky flavours. Taste is the least understood of the human senses and whilst there has been research around the types of food people prefer, how our personalities affect these preferences, especially regarding whisky preference, has yet to be fully explored."

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Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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