Tullibardine 2018 WW8 (The Whisky Warehouse No.8 (WW8)) (57.3%)

This is a Tullibardine single malt, chosen and bottled by The Whisky Warehouse No.8 (WW8), aged 7 year old from 2018, drawn from cask W8 8000460 and bottled at 57.3%. The outturn was 166 bottles. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 at Blackford in Perthshire; it was the first distillery built in Scotland after the war. 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 in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the honeyed malt. Younger here, it keeps a light, honeyed freshness over vanilla. Soft Ochil Hills water gives a clean, malty make. 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.

At 57.3%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. The Palo Cortado adds a dry, nutty, savoury note, and a soft, fruity vanilla meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Beneath it run honey, toffee and a soft spice. Vanilla and a soft ginger draw out the close. This is a soft, honeyed Highland single malt.