Tormore 11 Years Old 2010 Cask #82801209 (Duncan Taylor)

This Tormore was from the independent bottler Duncan Taylor, an 11 year old from 2010, drawn from cask 82801209 and bottled at 53.3%. 204 bottles in all. Tormore was completed in 1960 a mile south of the River Spey, and its single malt is being revived under new ownership. 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. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Younger here, it keeps a clean, nutty freshness over orchard fruit. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. 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. It has used wood chips from local forestry to fire its stills since 1984.

At 53.3%, undiluted, it is deep and nutty. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with almond, apple and a clean citrus. The mouthfeel is light, the fruit carried on a nutty body. A long, nutty finish carries a citrus lift. This is a Speysider from the white cathedral of the Spey.