Tullibardine 9 Years Old 2014 (The Finest Malts)

A Tullibardine single malt, released by The Finest Malts, a 9 year old from 2014 and bottled at 53.4%. 239 bottles in all. Opened in 1949 at the foot of the Ochil Hills, Tullibardine is a soft, honeyed Highland malt. Water comes from the Ochil Hills springs, the same source as the Highland Spring bottled water.

Distilled in copper stills on Ochil Hills spring water, giving the light, fruity spirit at its heart. A sherry cask wrapped the soft spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At this age the spirit is fresh and honeyed, the malt and soft fruit bright. Under French wine ownership the distillery has leaned into cask finishes. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.4%, it is rich. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle, and the refill oak lending honey and vanilla runs under apple, honey and a gentle spice. It is fruity and soft, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a honeyed Highland single malt from Perthshire.