Tullibardine 11 Years Old 2012 Cask #651156 (Brothers in Malt)

This is a Tullibardine single malt, from the independent bottler Brothers in Malt matured to 11 year old from 2012, drawn from cask 651156 and bottled at 51.8%. Only 216 bottles were released. Tullibardine, founded in 1949 by William Delme-Evans at Blackford in Perthshire, is known for its wine cask finishes. It stands on a site with five hundred years of brewing; King James IV bought ale at Blackford in 1488.

It was worked through the distillery's pot stills, for the soft, honeyed Highland make Tullibardine is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the malt. Still young, the malt is honeyed and fruity with a soft spice. Soft Ochil Hills water gives a clean, malty make. The name comes from the Gaelic for lookout hill, after a hill once used to watch for strangers. It is one of few distilleries to distil, mature and bottle entirely on the one site.

Bottled at a cask strength 51.8%, it is rich. Oats, honey and a touch of ginger sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. It is gentle and honeyed, the soft spirit shining through. A honeyed, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is a wine finished Highland malt from Blackford.