Tamnavulin 31 Years Old 1991 Cask #9040502 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From Gordon & MacPhail comes this Tamnavulin, a 31 year old from 1991, drawn from cask 9040502 and bottled at 51.7%. A release of 418 bottles. Tamnavulin, first built in 1966 in the heart of Speyside on the Livet, is the mill on the hill. It is one of the few distilleries that sits right on the River Livet.

The spirit was made in copper pot stills with purifiers that keep the spirit light, for a light, fruity make of real charm. A sherry cask finish wrapped the light spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Decades leave it deep and mellow, honeyed wax and dried fruit with great age. Long, gentle ageing turns the orchard fruit towards honey and soft spice. It is one of the few distilleries to sit right on the River Livet. For decades the malt fed the Whyte and Mackay blends rather than single malt.

At 51.7%, undiluted, it is deep and honeyed. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, Christmas cake and a nutty depth, and vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with pear, hay and a floral lift. The texture is light and smooth, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish is rounded, honeyed and soft. This is the mill on the hill malt of Glen Livet.