Tormore 24 Years Old 2000 Cask #1264 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Tormore single malt, selected and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail matured to 24 year old from 2000, drawn from cask 1264 and bottled at 56.2%. A release of 217 bottles. Tormore was first built between 1958 and 1960 beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside; its light malt long fed the Long John blend. It was the first new malt distillery built in Scotland in the 20th century, raised for the booming Long John blend.

The spirit was run through purifier stills for a light, clean spirit, to build a clean, citrussy, almond edged character. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the clean character to the fore. 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. The distillery doubled from four stills to eight in 1972, then settled back to four pairs. It has used wood chips from local forestry to fire its stills since 1984.

At its natural 56.2% it is concentrated. Apple, citrus and a soft almond meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and nut sit behind the sweetness. Green apple and almond draw out the close. This is a clean, citrussy Speyside single malt.