Tamnavulin 16 Years Old 1993 (Simon Brown Traders)

Simon Brown Traders bottled this Tamnavulin single malt, a 16 year old from 1993 and bottled at 43%. Tamnavulin, built in 1966 at Tomnavoulin, deep in Glen Livet, is the mill on the hill. Water comes from the Easterton Spring, filtered through the surrounding limestone.

Distilled in copper stills fitted with purifiers, for a light spirit, giving the soft, grassy spirit at its heart. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller fruit while staying light. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit and honey deepening with age. The distillery is now owned by the Philippine Emperador group through Whyte and Mackay. Its modern range leans on cask finishes, the motto single malt, double flavour. The name is Gaelic for mill on the hill, a nod to the old mill on its grounds. Tamnavulin sits in Glen Livet, close to Glenlivet, Braeval and Tomintoul.

At 43% it is supple and fruity. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with apple, pear and a soft honey. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. The finish is rounded, honeyed and soft. This is a clean, fruity malt from the Livet glen.