Tullibardine 11 Years Old 2013 Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)

This Tullibardine was bottled by Decadent Drinks matured to 11 year old from 2013 and bottled at 53%. The outturn was 242 bottles. Tullibardine, first built in 1949 in the southern Highlands near Gleneagles, is known for its wine cask finishes. 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. A sherry cask wrapped the soft spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At a youthful age the fruit is gentle and the malt soft. Refill oak lets the honeyed Tullibardine character lead, vanilla over toffee. The malt also feeds the Highland Queen blend, another brand in the Picard stable. 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 its natural 53% it is concentrated. Sherried dried fruit and a nutty edge come through, and a malty, honeyed sweetness sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A baked apple and a gentle ginger lift it. A honeyed, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is Tullibardine, the lookout hill malt.