Tormore 21 Years Old 1995 (Simon Brown Traders)

From Simon Brown Traders comes this Tormore, a 21 year old from 1995 and bottled at 43%. Tormore was built in 1958 by Long John Distillers beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside, 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 run through purifier stills for a light, clean spirit, to build a clean, citrussy, almond edged character. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Past twenty years the spirit turns honeyed and nutty while keeping its clarity. Most Tormore matures off site, much of it in refill ex-Bourbon. Its rise in 1958 broke a long pause in distillery building that had lasted decades. The architect Sir Albert Richardson gave it a grand, ornamental design unlike any other distillery. Its granite buildings, copper roofs and musical clock earned it listed status in 1986.

At 43% it is soft, nutty and clean. A nutty, orchard fruit sweetness sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A green apple and a citrus note lift it. It closes clean, nutty and dry. This is the architectural jewel of Speyside in a glass.