Tullibardine 27 Years Old 1993 Wood Range Port Cask (Cadenhead’s)

An independent Tullibardine, chosen and bottled by Cadenhead's, a 27 year old release from 1993 and bottled at 41%. Just 222 bottles were filled. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 at Blackford in Perthshire; it was the first distillery built in Scotland after the war. Delme-Evans went on to design the Jura and GlenAllachie distilleries.

It was worked through the distillery's pot stills, for the soft, honeyed Highland make Tullibardine is known for. A wine cask finish layered fruit over the malt. At this age it is rounded and mellow, the fruit folded into a honeyed body. Refill oak lets the honeyed Tullibardine character lead, vanilla over toffee. 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. The distillery sits just off the A9 near Gleneagles, one of Scotland's more accessible.

At an easy 41% it is light. The Port cask adds plum and red berry, 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.