Tullibardine 2004 The Murray

A distillery bottling of Tullibardine, a 12 year old Highland malt from 2004 and bottled at 56.1%. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 by William Delme-Evans in Perthshire, off the A9, and it stands on a site with five centuries of brewing. 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. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. At a youthful age the fruit is gentle and the malt soft. Sherry wood suits the soft make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. After lean years and a long silence, private investors brought the distillery back to life in 2003. Picard is a Burgundy wine family, and their casks come from vineyards across France. The name comes from the Gaelic for lookout hill, after a hill once used to watch for strangers.

At a natural 56.1% it is full and honeyed. Vanilla and a light toffee from the barrel, with honey, vanilla and a soft toffee. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is a mellow, fruity Highland single malt.