Tullibardine 10 Years Old 2013 Cask #10541784 (Duncan Taylor)

A Tullibardine single malt, chosen and bottled by Duncan Taylor, a 10 year old release from 2013, drawn from cask 10541784 and bottled at 53.7%. The outturn was 91 bottles. Tullibardine was built in 1949 beneath the Ochil Hills at Blackford; its honeyed malt has a quiet following. Water comes from the Ochil Hills springs, the same source as the Highland Spring bottled water.

Distilled on soft Highland spring water, building the gentle Tullibardine style. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the honeyed malt. Younger here, it keeps a light, honeyed freshness over vanilla. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, malty core over time. The distillery sits just off the A9 near Gleneagles, one of Scotland's more accessible. Under French wine ownership the distillery has leaned into its cask finishes. The Murray and Custodian's Collections gather its older and rarer bottlings.

At a hearty 53.7% it carries real weight. Sherried dried fruit and a nutty edge come through, and a soft, fruity vanilla meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Beneath it run honey, toffee and a soft spice. Vanilla and a soft ginger draw out the close. This is a soft, honeyed Highland single malt.