Tullibardine Single Cask #2337 42 Years Old 1965 (Ex-Bourbon)

This Tullibardine, an official release, a 42 year old from 1965, drawn from cask 2337 and bottled at 41.8%. Only 112 bottles were released. Tullibardine was opened in 1949 in the southern Highlands near Gleneagles; it is owned by the French wine house Picard. It was founded by the distillery architect William Delme-Evans, the first new distillery in Scotland after the war.

The spirit was run through the distillery's compact copper stills, to build a honeyed, malty character. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the soft character to the fore. At this great age the malt is full and mellow, the honey deep and the oak soft. Refill oak lets the honeyed Tullibardine character lead, vanilla over toffee. King James IV is said to have bought ale at a Blackford brewery in 1488, on the site the distillery now occupies. Its water rises in the Ochil Hills, the same source that feeds the Highland Spring brand.

At a full 41.8% it is bold yet honeyed. Oats, honey and a touch of ginger sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. It is gentle and honeyed, the soft spirit shining through. Vanilla and a soft ginger draw out the close. This is a wine finished Highland malt from Blackford.