Tullibardine 25 Years Old 1991 Cask #3794 (A.D. Rattray)

This is a Tullibardine single malt, chosen and bottled by A.D. Rattray, a 25 year old from 1991, drawn from cask 3794 and bottled at 46.9%. A release of 286 bottles. Set at Blackford in Perthshire, Tullibardine has distilled since 1949. 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. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Past twenty years the spirit turns honeyed and full while staying soft. Long, gentle ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey and a soft spice. 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. Under French wine ownership the distillery has leaned into its cask finishes.

Bottled at a cask strength 46.9%, it is rich. A soft, fruity vanilla meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Beneath it run honey, toffee and a soft spice. The close is soft, fruit over gentle oak. This is a soft, honeyed Highland single malt.