Tamnavulin 14 Years Old (Original Collection)

Cadenhead's bottled this Tamnavulin single malt, a 14 year old and bottled at 46%. Tamnavulin, founded in 1966 by Invergordon Distillers on the banks of the River Livet, is the mill on the hill. Water comes from the Easterton Spring, filtered through the surrounding limestone.

It was drawn off stills whose purifiers lift only the lightest vapours, for a delicate, floral spirit. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the light character to the fore. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller fruit while staying light. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. The name is Gaelic for mill on the hill, a nod to the old mill on its grounds. Tamnavulin sits in Glen Livet, close to Glenlivet, Braeval and Tomintoul. The light, clean make takes a cask finish particularly well. The site is home to one of Scotland's largest bat colonies. Built in the 1960s boom, its industrial buildings sit amid picturesque country.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with apple, pear and a soft honey. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. The finish is rounded, honeyed and soft. This is a clean, fruity malt from the Livet glen.