Tullibardine Vintage Edition 24 Years Old 1988

This official Tullibardine single malt, a 24 year old from 1988 and bottled at 46%. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 at Blackford in Perthshire; it was the first distillery built in Scotland after the war. It stands on a site with five hundred years of brewing; King James IV bought ale at Blackford in 1488.

It was worked through the distillery's pot stills, for the soft, honeyed Highland make Tullibardine is known for. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the soft character to the fore. Long ageing brings a deeper dried fruit character and a soft oak spice. The soft, fruity spirit takes a wine finish particularly well, in the Picard house style. King James IV is said to have bought ale at a Blackford brewery in 1488, on the site the distillery now occupies. Its water rises in the Ochil Hills, the same source that feeds the Highland Spring brand. After lean years and a long silence, private investors brought the distillery back to life in 2003.

At 46% it is clean and honeyed. Vanilla, toffee and orchard fruit meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. Vanilla and a soft ginger draw out the close. This is the soft Highland malt of Blackford.