Tullibardine 11 Years Old DMor (Dràm Mòr)

Dràm Mòr selected this Tullibardine, an 11 year old, drawn from cask 900912 and bottled at 53%. A release of 250 bottles. Set in the southern Highlands near Gleneagles, Tullibardine has distilled since 1949. It is one of few distilleries to distil, mature and bottle all on the one site.

The spirit was run through the distillery's compact copper stills, to build a honeyed, malty character. A finish in wine wood, the Picard signature, added fruit to the malt. Still young, the malt is honeyed and fruity with a soft spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, malty core over time. King James IV is said to have bought ale at a Blackford brewery in 1488, on the site the distillery now occupies. Its water rises in the Ochil Hills, the same source that feeds the Highland Spring brand.

Undiluted at 53%, it is layered. The wine cask lends red fruit, chocolate and a soft spice, and oats, honey and a touch of ginger sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. It is gentle and honeyed, the soft spirit shining through. The close is soft, fruit over gentle oak. This is a wine finished Highland malt from Blackford.