Tullibardine 7 Years Old 2015 20th Anniversary Malt (Whisky-Doris)

An independent Tullibardine, bottled by Whisky-Doris, a 7 year old Highland malt from 2015 and bottled at 53.2%. The outturn was 270 bottles. Set at Blackford in Perthshire, Tullibardine has distilled since 1949. Delme-Evans went on to design the Jura and GlenAllachie distilleries.

It was worked through the distillery's pot stills, for the soft, honeyed Highland make Tullibardine is known for. A wine cask finish shaped it, the fruit meeting the honeyed spirit. 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. Under French wine ownership the distillery has leaned into its cask finishes.

At a full 53.2% it is bold yet honeyed. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and a malty, honeyed sweetness sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. A baked apple and a gentle ginger lift it. The close is soft, fruit over gentle oak. This is Tullibardine, the lookout hill malt.