Tormore Batch 3 (TBWC)

Bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company, this Tormore, a 21 year old Speyside malt and bottled at 46.8%. Just 149 bottles were filled. Tormore was first built between 1958 and 1960 in the Spey valley near Grantown; its light malt long fed the Long John blend. It was the first new malt distillery built in Scotland in the 20th century, raised for the booming Long John blend.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose purifiers keep the spirit light, for a light, nutty make of real clarity. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Beyond twenty years the malt grows deep and waxy, almond, dried fruit and a polished oak over the citrus. Clean, citrussy spirit and a long maturation make for a structured malt. 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.

Reduced to 46.8%, it is mellow. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with pear, almond and a citrus lift. It is clean and structured, the nutty spirit shining through. The close is clean, nut over orchard fruit. This is the malt of Speyside's white cathedral.