Tullibardine 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #652696 (A.D. Rattray)

This Tullibardine was from the independent bottler A.D. Rattray, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2010, drawn from cask 652696 and bottled at 55.1%. Just 174 bottles were filled. Founded in 1949 in the southern Highlands near Gleneagles, 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 run through the distillery's compact copper stills, to build a honeyed, malty character. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Younger here, it keeps a light, honeyed freshness over vanilla. The honeyed spirit makes a fine base for a fortified or wine cask. 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.

At a hearty 55.1% it carries real weight. Oats, honey and a touch of ginger sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. It is gentle and honeyed, the soft spirit shining through. It finishes soft, honeyed and clean. This is a wine finished Highland malt from Blackford.