Tullibardine 18 Years Old 1990 Cask #6105 (A.D. Rattray)

A.D. Rattray bottled this Tullibardine single malt, an 18 year old release from 1990, drawn from cask 6105 and bottled at 59.1%. Only 300 bottles were released. Tullibardine was opened in 1949 in Perthshire, off the A9; it is owned by the French wine house Picard. 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. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper, maltier fruit. The light, malty make leans on the cask for much of its colour and flavour. 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.

At a natural 59.1% it is full and honeyed. Vanilla and a light toffee from the barrel runs under apple, honey and a gentle spice. It is fruity and soft, the fruit and oak well matched. Toffee, honey and a soft oak see out the finish. This is a honeyed Highland single malt from Perthshire.