Tormore 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #8003 + 8004 (Hannah Whisky Merchants Ltd)

Bottled by Hannah Whisky Merchants Ltd, this Tormore matured to 11 year old from 2011, drawn from cask 8003 + 8004 and bottled at 50.5%. Only 550 bottles were released. Tormore was founded in 1958 on the A95 in the heart of Speyside; it is a listed building, the white cathedral of Speyside. Water comes from the Achvochkie Burn, flowing off the granite hills above.

Distilled in swan neck stills fitted with purifiers, on soft Achvochkie Burn water, giving the structured, nutty Speyside spirit. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the nutty malt. At this age the spirit is fresh and nutty, the apple and citrus bright. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. 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.

At a natural 50.5% it is full and nutty. The Oloroso lends raisin, walnut and a dried fruit richness, and the refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with pear, almond and a citrus lift. The texture is light and slightly oily, the nut threaded through. Almond and a dry oak see out the finish. This is the malt of Speyside's white cathedral.