Tormore 28 Years Old 1995 Cask #5391 (Connoisseurs Choice)

Single malt Tormore, an independent Gordon & MacPhail bottling matured to 28 year old from 1995, drawn from cask 5391 and bottled at 57.1%. Just 493 bottles were filled. Tormore was built in the late 1950s a mile south of the River Spey; it is one of the most striking distilleries in Scotland. Purifiers on the spirit stills keep the spirit light and clean.

It was drawn off the distillery's swan neck stills with their purifiers, for a delicate, ester rich spirit. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At this age it is rounded and nutty, the fruit folded into a honeyed, waxy body. Years in oak round the spirit, the nut and orchard fruit deepening with age. The soft water runs through heather and peat and granite before reaching the distillery. The distillery doubled from four stills to eight in 1972, then settled back to four pairs.

At a hearty 57.1% it carries real weight. Raisin and a nutty sherry depth build, and a gentle vanilla from the wood runs under green apple, nut and a soft spice. It is fine and nutty, the fruit and oak well matched. Almond and a dry oak see out the finish. This is a light, almond edged Speyside single malt.