Tamnavulin 5 Years Old 2016 Exploration Series (Claxton’s)

Bottled by Claxton's, this Tamnavulin, a 5 year old Speyside malt from 2016 and bottled at 50%. Set in Glen Livet, beneath the Cairngorms, Tamnavulin has distilled since 1966. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep only the lightest vapours, for a delicate spirit.

Distilled on limestone filtered spring water for a delicate make, building the smooth Speyside style it is loved for. Maturation and a sherry finish laid dried fruit over the fruity malt. Younger here, it keeps a clean, grassy freshness over light honey. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, the wood adding much of the character. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep only the lightest vapours, for a delicate 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 a full 50% it is intense yet fruity. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and meadow flowers and ripe fruit meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. The close is soft, fruit over gentle oak. This is an easy going, fruity Speyside malt.