Tormore 29 Years Old 1991 Cask #15384 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From Gordon & MacPhail comes this Tormore, a 29 year old release from 1991, drawn from cask 15384 and bottled at 51.5%. The outturn was 255 bottles. Set near Grantown-on-Spey in Speyside, Tormore has distilled since 1960. 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. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the nutty malt. Long ageing brings a deeper nutty, dried fruit character and a mellow oak. Most Tormore matures off site, much of it in refill ex-Bourbon. The architect Sir Albert Richardson gave it a grand, ornamental design unlike any other distillery. Its granite buildings, copper roofs and musical clock earned it listed status in 1986. A workers' village was built nearby in the same striking style.

At 51.5%, undiluted, it is deep and nutty. The Oloroso lends raisin, walnut and a dried fruit richness, and a nutty, orchard fruit sweetness sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. A green apple and a citrus note lift it. The close is clean, nut over orchard fruit. This is the architectural jewel of Speyside in a glass.