Tamnavulin 22 Years Old 1966 The Birds (Moon-Import)

This Tamnavulin was from the independent bottler Moon-Import, a 22 year old from 1966 and bottled at 45%. The outturn was 2400 bottles. Tamnavulin, first built in 1966 in the Livet glen of Speyside, is the mill on the hill. It stands on the site of a 16th century carding mill; the name means mill on the hill, and the old water wheel survives.

The spirit was run through purifier stills on soft Easterton Spring water, to build a clean, orchard fruit character. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. Beyond twenty years the malt grows deep and honeyed, dried fruit and oak spice over orchard fruit. The purifiers lift only the lightest vapours, giving a clean, fruity spirit. Water is drawn from the Easterton Spring, filtered through limestone. 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.

At an easy 45% it is gentle. A light, fruity sweetness meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Beneath it run apple, honey and a soft spice. A fruity, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.