Tormore 15 Years Old

An official Tormore single malt, a 15 year old and bottled at 46%. 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. Long a filler for the Long John and Ballantine's blends, Tormore was rarely seen as a single malt.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose purifiers keep the spirit light, for a light, nutty make of real clarity. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. By this age the light spirit rounds into nutty fruit and a soft honey. 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.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel runs under green apple, nut and a soft spice. It is fine and nutty, the fruit and oak well matched. A long, nutty finish carries a citrus lift. This is a light, almond edged Speyside single malt.