Tullibardine 11 Years Old 2012 Cask #651187 (PerfectDram)

This Tullibardine was picked by PerfectDram, an 11 year old from 2012, drawn from cask 651187 and bottled at 51.8%. 95 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. Mothballed in 1994, the distillery was revived in 2003 and bought by the French wine house Picard in 2011.

The spirit was made in copper stills for a soft, fruity make, for a fruity, mellow make. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the honeyed malt. Still young, the malt is honeyed and fruity with a soft spice. A patient maturation suits the soft, honeyed Tullibardine character. 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 natural 51.8% it is full and honeyed. Sherried dried fruit and a nutty edge come through, and vanilla and a light toffee from the barrel, with honey, vanilla and a soft toffee. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is a mellow, fruity Highland single malt.