Tormore 24 Years Old 1995 Cask #5389 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From Gordon & MacPhail comes this Tormore, a 24 year old Speyside malt from 1995, drawn from cask 5389 and bottled at 56.2%. 448 bottles in all. Tormore, opened in 1960 beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside, is one of Scotland's most striking distilleries. 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 sherry cask laid dried fruit over the nutty malt. Beyond twenty years the malt grows deep and waxy, almond, dried fruit and a polished oak over the citrus. Refill oak lets the clean, nutty distillery character lead. A workers' village was built nearby in the same striking style. Heat recovery condensers and sub coolers run alongside the purifier stills.

At 56.2%, undiluted, it is deep and nutty. The Oloroso adds figgy fruit and a warm nuttiness, and a nutty, orchard fruit sweetness sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A green apple and a citrus note lift it. A nutty, gently spiced finish lingers. This is the architectural jewel of Speyside in a glass.