Tormore 20 Years Old 1996 Cask #5654 (G&M)

Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, this Tormore, a 20 year old from 1996, drawn from cask 5654 and bottled at 46%. Only 251 bottles were released. 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. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the nut and fruit lead. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller nutty depth over the citrus. A slightly oily texture carries the cask flavour over the clean spirit. The distillery sits near Grantown-on-Spey, in sight of the Cromdale Hills. Tormore is cleaner than the waxy Clynelish, with more weight than the lightest Speysiders.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with pear, almond and a citrus lift. The texture is light and slightly oily, the nut threaded through. A long, nutty finish carries a citrus lift. This is the malt of Speyside's white cathedral.