Tullibardine 4 Years Old 2016 Cask #659812/14/46 (Murray McDavid)

Bottled by Murray McDavid, this Tullibardine, a 4 year old Highland malt from 2016, drawn from cask 659812/14/46 and bottled at 46%. The outturn was 1338 bottles. Opened in 1949 at the foot of the Ochil Hills, Tullibardine is a soft, honeyed Highland malt. Its malt also goes into the Highland Queen blend, another Picard brand.

Distilled in copper stills on Ochil Hills spring water, giving the light, fruity spirit at its heart. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Younger here, it keeps a light, honeyed freshness over vanilla. The light, malty make leans on the cask for much of its colour and flavour. It is one of few distilleries to distil, mature and bottle entirely on the one site. Delme-Evans, a noted gravity flow designer, also drew up the Jura and GlenAllachie distilleries. The malt also feeds the Highland Queen blend, another brand in the Picard stable.

At 46% it is gentle, honeyed and fruity. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and the refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with pear, honey and a malty note. The texture is soft and round, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is Tullibardine's fruity Highland style.