Tullibardine 25 Years Old 1993 Cask #DL 12624 (XOP)

Douglas Laing selected this Tullibardine, aged 25 year old from 1993, drawn from cask DL 12624 and bottled at 55.3%. 250 bottles in all. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 by William Delme-Evans in Perthshire, off the A9, and it stands on a site with five centuries of brewing. It is one of few distilleries to distil, mature and bottle all on the one site.

The spirit was made in copper stills for a soft, fruity make, for a fruity, mellow make. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Beyond twenty years the malt grows deep and honeyed, dried fruit and oak spice over a soft toffee. The light, malty make leans on the cask for much of its colour and flavour. 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. Picard is a Burgundy wine family, and their casks come from vineyards across France.

At a full 55.3% it is bold yet honeyed. Vanilla and a light toffee from the barrel, with pear, honey and a malty note. The texture is soft and round, the fruit lifted by honey. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is Tullibardine's fruity Highland style.