Tormore 10 Years Old (40%)

A distillery bottling of Tormore, a 10 year old and bottled at 40%. Tormore was opened in 1960 on the A95 in the heart of Speyside, and it is now owned by Elixir Distillers. Water comes from the Achvochkie Burn, flowing off the granite hills above.

Distilled in swan neck stills fitted with purifiers, on soft Achvochkie Burn water, giving the structured, nutty Speyside spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Younger here, it keeps a clean, nutty freshness over orchard fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the nut and orchard fruit deepening with age. The distillery doubled from four stills to eight in 1972, then settled back to four pairs. It has used wood chips from local forestry to fire its stills since 1984. For most of its life its spirit vanished quietly into blends rather than into bottles of its own. Elixir Distillers bought Tormore in 2022 and are reviving it as a single malt brand.

Reduced to 40%, it is mellow. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with almond, apple and a clean citrus. The mouthfeel is light, the fruit carried on a nutty body. A long, nutty finish carries a citrus lift. This is a Speysider from the white cathedral of the Spey.