Tullibardine Sovereign

A distillery bottling of Tullibardine, bottled at 43%. Built in 1949 in Blackford, on the edge of the Highlands, Tullibardine is a soft, honeyed Highland malt. 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 refill American oak cask held it, keeping the soft character to the fore. With no age statement, it shows a soft, honeyed body and a malty fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the honey and soft fruit deepening with age. Blackford's spring water has drawn brewers and distillers to the village for centuries. Tullibardine was founded in 1949 by the architect William Delme-Evans, the first new distillery in post war Scotland. 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 43% it is clean and honeyed. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with honey, vanilla and a soft toffee. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. The finish runs gentle, fruity and mellow. This is a mellow, fruity Highland single malt.