Tormore 27 Years Old 1994 Cask #8348 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Tormore single malt, selected and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, a 27 year old from 1994, drawn from cask 8348 and bottled at 57.2%. Only 570 bottles were released. Tormore was completed in 1960 near Grantown-on-Spey in Speyside, and its single malt is being revived under new ownership. It was designed by Sir Albert Richardson, a President of the Royal Academy, in a grand ornamental style.

It was worked through swan neck stills with purifiers, for the light, clean, nutty make Tormore is known for. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the clean make. Long ageing brings a deeper nutty, dried fruit character and a mellow oak. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the nutty, citrussy core over time. 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.

At a natural 57.2% it is full and nutty. The Oloroso lends raisin, walnut and a dried fruit richness, and apple, citrus and a soft almond meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and nut sit behind the sweetness. It closes clean, nutty and dry. This is a clean, citrussy Speyside single malt.