Tormore 33 Years Old 1992 Whiskyland Chapter Twelve (Decadent Drinks)

Bottled by Decadent Drinks, this Tormore, a 33 year old from 1992 and bottled at 53.7%. 157 bottles in all. Tormore was opened in 1960 on the A95 in the heart of Speyside, and it is now owned by Elixir Distillers. The granite buildings carry copper roofs and a musical clock that plays four Scottish songs each quarter hour.

Distilled in swan neck stills fitted with purifiers, on soft Achvochkie Burn water, giving the structured, nutty Speyside spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Decades leave it deep and oily, nut and dried fruit with great age. Long, gentle ageing turns the green spirit towards honey and nut. Heat recovery condensers and sub coolers run alongside the purifier stills. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.7%, it is rich. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with pear, almond and a citrus lift. The texture is light and slightly oily, the nut threaded through. A long, nutty finish carries a citrus lift. This is the malt of Speyside's white cathedral.