Tullibardine 9 Years Old 2015 Cask #9900469 (The Old Friends)

An independent Tullibardine, an independent The Old Friends bottling, a 9 year old release from 2015, drawn from cask 9900469 and bottled at 51.7%. A release of 334 bottles. Built in 1949 at Blackford in Perthshire, Tullibardine is a soft, honeyed Highland malt. 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 Sauternes or fortified cask gave a honeyed, fruity depth. At this age the spirit is fresh and honeyed, the malt and soft fruit bright. The soft, fruity spirit takes a wine finish particularly well, in the Picard house style. Its water rises in the Ochil Hills, the same source that feeds the Highland Spring brand. After lean years and a long silence, private investors brought the distillery back to life in 2003.

At cask strength 51.7% it is full bodied. The wine cask lends red fruit, chocolate and a soft spice, and vanilla, toffee and orchard fruit meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. It finishes soft, honeyed and clean. This is the soft Highland malt of Blackford.