Tullibardine 7 Years Old 2015 Cask #036 (Elshoff Whisky Promotions)

Elshoff Whisky Promotions selected this Tullibardine matured to 7 year old from 2015, drawn from cask 036 and bottled at 57.1%. Just 272 bottles were filled. Tullibardine, first built in 1949 in the southern Highlands near Gleneagles, is known for its wine cask finishes. It is one of few distilleries to distil, mature and bottle all on the one site.

The spirit was run through the distillery's compact copper stills, to build a honeyed, malty character. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At a youthful age the fruit is gentle and the malt soft. Wine cask finishing is central to the modern range, layering extra fruit. 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 a full 57.1% it is bold yet honeyed. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and vanilla, toffee and orchard fruit meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. A honeyed, lightly spiced finish lingers. This is the soft Highland malt of Blackford.