Tamnavulin 13 Years Old 2011 (Cut Your Wolf Loose)

This is a Tamnavulin single malt, chosen and bottled by Cut Your Wolf Loose, a 13 year old release from 2011 and bottled at 51.2%. A release of 470 bottles. Established in 1966 on the River Livet in the Livet glen, Tamnavulin is a light Speyside malt. It is now owned by the Philippine Emperador group, through Whyte and Mackay.

It was worked through purifier stills for a clean, fruity spirit, for the light, fruity Speyside make Tamnavulin is known for. A wine cask finish shaped it, the berry fruit meeting the light spirit. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, soft spice and a fuller body. Racked warehousing on site gives a steady maturation in the glen. The site is home to one of Scotland's largest bat colonies. Built in the 1960s boom, its industrial buildings sit amid picturesque country. A value priced single malt, it has found a wide audience since its 2016 relaunch.

Bottled at a cask strength 51.2%, it is rich. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and orchard fruit and a grassy lift sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. A ripe pear and a gentle spice lift it. It finishes clean, fresh and fruity. This is the smooth face of Speyside whisky.