Tormore 11 Years Old 2010 Cask #80121201 (Islay Cask Company)

Bottled by Islay Cask Company, this Tormore, aged 11 year old from 2010, drawn from cask 80121201 and bottled at 64.5%. The outturn was 232 bottles. Founded in 1958 a mile south of the River Spey, Tormore is a grand Speyside distillery. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep the spirit light and clean.

It was drawn off the distillery's swan neck stills with their purifiers, for a delicate, ester rich spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Younger here, it keeps a clean, nutty freshness over orchard fruit. Long, gentle ageing turns the green spirit towards honey and nut. The architect Sir Albert Richardson gave it a grand, ornamental design unlike any other distillery. Its granite buildings, copper roofs and musical clock earned it listed status in 1986. A workers' village was built nearby in the same striking style. Heat recovery condensers and sub coolers run alongside the purifier stills.

At a full 64.5% it is intense yet 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.