Tamnavulin 16 Years Old 2007 Cask #700360 (Connoisseurs Choice)

Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, this Tamnavulin matured to 16 year old from 2007, drawn from cask 700360 and bottled at 59.4%. The outturn was 181 bottles. Tamnavulin was founded in 1966 by Invergordon Distillers in the Livet glen of Speyside, and it long supplied the Whyte and Mackay blends. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep only the lightest vapours, for a delicate spirit.

The spirit was run through purifier stills on soft Easterton Spring water, to build a clean, orchard fruit character. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Past a decade the fruit deepens into honey, soft spice and a fuller body. The purifiers lift only the lightest vapours, giving a clean, fruity spirit. Tamnavulin sits in Glen Livet, close to Glenlivet, Braeval and Tomintoul. The light, clean make takes a cask finish particularly well. The site is home to one of Scotland's largest bat colonies.

Undiluted at 59.4%, it is layered. Meadow flowers and ripe fruit meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. It closes smooth, fruity and soft. This is an easy going, fruity Speyside malt.