Tormore 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #801185 (Dramfool)

This is a Tormore single malt, chosen and bottled by Dramfool, a 12 year old from 2010, drawn from cask 801185 and bottled at 61.5%. 168 bottles in all. Tormore was built in 1958 by Long John Distillers in the Spey valley near Grantown, and it was the first new malt distillery of the 20th century. It was granted listed building status in 1986, rare for a distillery so young.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose purifiers keep the spirit light, for a light, nutty make of real clarity. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the nut and fruit lead. At this age the spirit is fresh and nutty, the apple and citrus bright. Years in oak round the spirit, the nut and orchard fruit deepening with age. 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 a natural 61.5% it is full and nutty. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel runs under a clean, nutty character. A dried fruit and a dry oak spice give it depth. A long, nutty finish carries a citrus lift. This is a structured, nutty Speysider.