Tormore 22 Years Old 1995 Cask #5386 (G&M)

Gordon & MacPhail selected this Tormore, a 22 year old release from 1995, drawn from cask 5386 and bottled at 46%. The outturn was 670 bottles. Set in Speyside, near the Cairngorms, Tormore has distilled since 1960. Water comes from the Achvochkie Burn, flowing off the granite hills above.

Distilled on soft Speyside water through purifier stills, building the firm, clean Tormore style. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the clean make. Long ageing brings a deeper nutty, dried fruit character and a mellow oak. The light, ester rich make takes cask character well across maturation. 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. Most of the spirit matures off site, much of it in refill ex-Bourbon wood.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. The Oloroso gives dried fruit and a toasted nuttiness, and a light, nutty fruitiness meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Beneath it run almond, apple and a soft spice. The close is clean, nut over orchard fruit. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.