Tormore 10 Years Old 2015 Cask #333/2015 (The Old Friends)

The Old Friends bottled this Tormore single malt, aged 10 year old from 2015, drawn from cask 333/2015 and bottled at 54.5%. 325 bottles in all. Tormore, opened in 1960 beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside, is one of Scotland's most striking distilleries. It was the first new malt distillery built in Scotland in the 20th century, raised for the booming Long John blend.

The spirit was run through purifier stills for a light, clean spirit, to build a clean, citrussy, almond edged character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. At a youthful age the fruit is lively and the almond clear. The unpeated spirit lets the wood and the fruit speak without smoke. It has used wood chips from local forestry to fire its stills since 1984. For most of its life its spirit vanished quietly into blends rather than into bottles of its own. Elixir Distillers bought Tormore in 2022 and are reviving it as a single malt brand.

At cask strength 54.5% it is muscular yet clean. Melon, nut and a grassy note sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A dried fruit and a dry oak spice give it depth. Almond and a dry oak see out the finish. This is Tormore's clean, nutty Speyside style.