Tormore Legacy Casks 16 Years Old 2009 (55.5%)

An official Tormore single malt, a 16 year old release from 2009, drawn from cask 44032 and bottled at 55.5%. 220 bottles in all. Set beneath the Cromdale Hills in Speyside, Tormore has distilled since 1960. Long a filler for the Long John and Ballantine's blends, Tormore was rarely seen as a single malt.

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. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper, nuttier fruit. Most Tormore matures off site, much of it in refill ex-Bourbon. 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. It has used wood chips from local forestry to fire its stills since 1984.

At a hearty 55.5% 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. The close is clean, nut over orchard fruit. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.