Tullibardine Cask Strength 42 Years Old 1966

A distillery bottling of Tullibardine matured to 42 year old from 1966, drawn from cask 1697 and bottled at 46.6%. Just 282 bottles were filled. Founded in 1949 in Perthshire, off the A9, Tullibardine is a soft, honeyed Highland malt. Mothballed in 1994, the distillery was revived in 2003 and bought by the French wine house Picard in 2011.

The spirit was made in copper stills for a soft, fruity make, for a fruity, mellow make. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Very old Tullibardine turns soft and profound, the fruit deep and the oak polished. The light, malty make leans on the cask for much of its colour and flavour. Part of the old estate was turned into a retail outlet during the lean years. The distillery sits just off the A9 near Gleneagles, one of Scotland's more accessible.

At 46.6%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and vanilla and a light toffee from the barrel, with honey, vanilla and a soft toffee. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a mellow, fruity Highland single malt.