Tormore 26 Years Old 1992 Cask #HL 16492 (Old Malt Cask)

Hunter Laing selected this Tormore, a 26 year old from 1992, drawn from cask HL 16492 and bottled at 47.3%. Tormore was built in 1958 by Long John Distillers beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside, and it was the first new malt distillery of the 20th century. It was granted listed building status in 1986, rare for a distillery so young.

The spirit was run through purifier stills for a light, clean spirit, to build a clean, citrussy, almond edged character. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the clean character to the fore. At this age it is rounded and nutty, the fruit folded into a honeyed, waxy body. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. Tormore is cleaner than the waxy Clynelish, with more weight than the lightest Speysiders. The new owners released a Blueprint Series of 10 year olds in 2025 ahead of a full range. Its rise in 1958 broke a long pause in distillery building that had lasted decades.

At cask strength 47.3% it is muscular yet clean. A light, nutty fruitiness meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Beneath it run almond, apple and a soft spice. It closes clean, nutty and dry. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.