Tamnavulin 25 Years Old 1987 Cask #DL 10025 (Old Particular)

From Douglas Laing comes this Tamnavulin, a 25 year old Speyside malt from 1987, drawn from cask DL 10025 and bottled at 51.5%. The outturn was 249 bottles. Set on the banks of the River Livet, Tamnavulin has distilled since 1966. It is one of the few distilleries that sits right on the River Livet.

It was drawn off stills whose purifiers lift only the lightest vapours, for a delicate, floral spirit. Maturation came in American oak, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. At this age it is rounded and full, the fruit folded into a honeyed body. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep only the lightest vapours, for a delicate spirit. Water is drawn from the Easterton Spring, filtered through limestone. The distillery is now owned by the Philippine Emperador group through Whyte and Mackay. Its modern range leans on cask finishes, the motto single malt, double flavour.

At its natural 51.5% it is concentrated. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with pear, hay and a floral lift. The texture is light and smooth, the fruit lifted by honey. A gently warming, fruity finish lingers. This is the mill on the hill malt of Glen Livet.