Tullibardine 7 Years Old 2015 (Glaschu Spirits Co)

An independent Tullibardine, picked by Glaschu Spirits Co, a 7 year old release from 2015 and bottled at 50%. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 in Blackford, on the edge of the Highlands; it was the first distillery built in Scotland after the war. Delme-Evans went on to design the Jura and GlenAllachie distilleries.

It was drawn off copper pot stills fed by the Danny Burn, for a soft, vanilla scented spirit. A wine cask finish shaped it, the fruit meeting the honeyed spirit. Still young, the malt is honeyed and fruity with a soft spice. The light, malty make leans on the cask for much of its colour and flavour. The distillery sits just off the A9 near Gleneagles, one of Scotland's more accessible. Under French wine ownership the distillery has leaned into its cask finishes. The Murray and Custodian's Collections gather its older and rarer bottlings.

At a natural 50% it is full and honeyed. The wine cask lends red fruit, chocolate and a soft spice, and a gentle vanilla from the wood, with honey, vanilla and a soft toffee. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. Toffee, honey and a soft oak see out the finish. This is a mellow, fruity Highland single malt.