Tullibardine 18 Years Old 1989 (Scott’s Selection)

Scott's Selection bottled this Tullibardine single malt, aged 18 year old from 1989 and bottled at 55.4%. Founded in 1949 in Perthshire, off the A9, Tullibardine is a soft, honeyed Highland malt. It was founded by the distillery architect William Delme-Evans, the first new distillery in Scotland after the war.

The spirit was made in copper stills for a soft, fruity make, for a fruity, mellow make. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. By this age the soft spirit rounds into honeyed fruit and a gentle oak. Sherry wood suits the soft make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. It is one of few distilleries to distil, mature and bottle entirely on the one site. Delme-Evans, a noted gravity flow designer, also drew up the Jura and GlenAllachie distilleries. The malt also feeds the Highland Queen blend, another brand in the Picard stable. Part of the old estate was turned into a retail outlet during the lean years.

At cask strength 55.4% it is full bodied. Vanilla and a light toffee from the barrel runs under a mellow, honeyed character. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a gentle, honeyed Highland single malt.