Tormore 10 Years Old (48%)

A distillery bottling of Tormore, aged 10 year old and bottled at 48%. Just 1500 bottles were filled. Founded in 1958 a mile south of the River Spey, Tormore is a grand Speyside distillery. It was designed by Sir Albert Richardson, a President of the Royal Academy, in a grand ornamental style.

It was drawn off the distillery's swan neck stills with their purifiers, for a delicate, ester rich spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the nut and fruit lead. Younger here, it keeps a clean, nutty freshness over orchard fruit. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. A workers' village was built nearby in the same striking style. Heat recovery condensers and sub coolers run alongside the purifier stills. The soft water runs through heather and peat and granite before reaching the distillery. The distillery doubled from four stills to eight in 1972, then settled back to four pairs.

At a natural 48% it is full and nutty. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with pear, almond and a citrus lift. The texture is light and slightly oily, the nut threaded through. The finish runs light, citrussy and fresh. This is the malt of Speyside's white cathedral.