Tormore 33 Years Old 1990 Cask #1989 (Cask Masters)

Brave New Spirits selected this Tormore matured to 33 year old from 1990, drawn from cask 1989 and bottled at 49.8%. 190 bottles in all. 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 granted listed building status in 1986, rare for a distillery so young.

The spirit was run through purifier stills for a light, clean spirit, to build a clean, citrussy, almond edged character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. At thirty years and more it is rich and waxy, candied fruit, almond and old oak in a deep old malt. The light, ester rich make takes cask character well across maturation. 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. It has used wood chips from local forestry to fire its stills since 1984.

At a hearty 49.8% it carries real weight. A light, nutty fruitiness meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Beneath it run almond, apple and a soft spice. Green apple and almond draw out the close. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.