Tormore 28 Years Old 1988 The Birds (Antique Lions of Spirits)

Antique Lions of Spirits selected this Tormore, a 28 year old from 1988 and bottled at 50.4%. Just 254 bottles were filled. Tormore was completed in 1960 near Grantown-on-Spey in Speyside, and its single malt is being revived under new ownership. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep the spirit light and clean.

It was worked through swan neck stills with purifiers, for the light, clean, nutty make Tormore is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Past twenty years the spirit turns honeyed and nutty while keeping its clarity. Soft water off the granite hills gives a clean, ester driven make. 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. The new owners released a Blueprint Series of 10 year olds in 2025 ahead of a full range. Its rise in 1958 broke a long pause in distillery building that had lasted decades.

At a hearty 50.4% it carries real weight. A light, nutty fruitiness meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Beneath it run almond, apple and a soft spice. It closes clean, nutty and dry. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.