Tormore 16 Years Old 2008 Pat Hock Whisky (The Caskhound)

A Tormore single malt, selected and bottled by The Caskhound, a 16 year old from 2008 and bottled at 55.2%. A release of 222 bottles. Built in the late 1950s beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside, Tormore is a grand Speyside distillery. It was granted listed building status in 1986, rare for a distillery so young.

The spirit was run through purifier stills for a light, clean spirit, to build a clean, citrussy, almond edged character. Maturation in a fortified or wine cask lent red fruit and spice. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper, nuttier fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the nutty, citrussy core over time. 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.

At a natural 55.2% it is full and nutty. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, and apple, citrus and a soft almond meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. The mouthfeel is light, the fruit carried on a nutty body. The finish is dry, nutty and structured. This is a clean, citrussy Speyside single malt.