Tamnavulin 28 Years Old 1988 Cask #10027 (A.D. Rattray)

This is a Tamnavulin single malt, chosen and bottled by A.D. Rattray matured to 28 year old from 1988, drawn from cask 10027 and bottled at 49.9%. The outturn was 278 bottles. Tamnavulin was founded in 1966 by Invergordon Distillers in the Livet glen of Speyside, and it long supplied the Whyte and Mackay blends. It is now owned by the Philippine Emperador group, through Whyte and Mackay.

The spirit was run through purifier stills on soft Easterton Spring water, to build a clean, orchard fruit character. Maturation came in American oak, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Long ageing brings a deeper dried fruit character and a mellow oak spice. The light, fruity make takes a cask finish particularly well. For decades the malt fed the Whyte and Mackay blends rather than single malt. Mothballed in 1995, the distillery reopened in 2007 and launched its single malt in 2016. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep only the lightest vapours, for a delicate spirit.

At 49.9%, undiluted, it is deep and honeyed. Orchard fruit and a grassy lift sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A ripe pear and a gentle spice lift it. It closes smooth, fruity and soft. This is the smooth face of Speyside whisky.