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Tormore is BACK with its first official release under Elixir Distillers!

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The Blueprint series

ELIXIR DISTILLERS TEASES TORMORE RELEASE WITH ‘BLUEPRINT’ SERIES

Tormore unveils its first official release under the ownership of family-run Elixir Distillers, with three limited release bottlings of ‘Blueprint’ available globally from June onwards.

The series includes three Tormore 10-year-old single malt whiskies, each matured in different cask types: Bourbon Barrel, Toasted Barrel and Cream Sherry casks. The initial release is limited to 1,500 bottles of each expression.

Founded in 1959, Tormore was designed to produce an elegant, fruit-forward spirit. Ownership evolved over time, with alternating periods of community focus and industrial efficiency. Recent changes under new ownership have restored traditional methods, enhancing its famed fruit character and spirit quality.

The Blueprint series is about laying the foundation for Tormore’s future; it stands as a conversation starter around the highly anticipated launch of the whisky brand in 2026.

 

Blueprint is more than just a product line; it’s a platform to explore and explain the brand’s story and an insight into some of the building blocks that will form the Tormore single malts of the future.

Polly Logan, Tormore Distillery Manager, comments: ‘We are incredibly excited to offer our Tormore Blueprint to market. This is a first step in showcasing our wonderful spirit and giving a sneak preview of our future Tormore bottlings — and we are so proud of the whisky’.

The Blueprint Series:

Tormore Blueprint: 10-Year-Old Bourbon Barrels

A marriage of first fill bourbon barrels, these casks bring light caramel and coconut notes which complement the distinctive character of our new make spirit: pear, nectarine and walnuts. Think custard, biscuits, peach tart.

This is the core of our future Tormore and embodies all the elegance of the building and the spirit.

 

Tormore Blueprint: 10-Year-Old Cream Sherry Cask

Cream Sherry was historically the largest selling style of sherry in the world. Traditionally, cream sherries are produced by blending a dryer wine such as Oloroso with a sweeter wine like Pedro Ximenez.

The use of cream sherry leaves residual sugars from the Pedro Ximenez while also delivering signature flavours of dried fruit and orange peel. All of this builds a warmth of character into our balanced, fruit-forward Tormore spirit.

 

Tormore Blueprint: 10-Year-Old Toasted Barrel

Virgin American oak barrels have been crafted, toasted and charred specifically to our specifications, giving the spirit better access to the wood sugars. This builds up soft, rye spice and caramel. 

For these barrels we do a long, slow toast and medium charring to allow for filtration of heavier compounds – encouraging better extraction of water-soluble compounds, such as vanillin, from the wood.

Elixir Distillers, owned by brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, acquired the Tormore Distillery from Pernod Ricard in 2022.

The Tormore Blueprint bottlings (48% ABV, – RRP £59.95) will be available globally in specialist retailers and selected on-trade from this month onwards.

DADS DESERVE DRAMS! Here’s some whiskies that could be a nice fit!

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Jura 12 – Taste the Island

Fathers Day

Sun, 15 Jun 2025

Here’s some whiskies that could be a nice fit!

Jura 12 – Taste the Island

For the dad who loves a drop of adventure, Jura, the UK’s number one single malt, should be top of your list. Crafted in the heart of community, Jura 12 Year Old is the perfect gift to share at any social gathering.

 

Jura 12 Year Old is matured in American ex-Bourbon barrels, then finished in the finest Oloroso sherry casks on the remote island of Jura. Matured for 12 years, the whisky boasts a honeyed sweetness with intensified notes of warm spices, banana and soft citrus alongside a finish of freshly ground coffee and dark chocolate.

 

Versatile and vibrant, Jura 12 Year Old can be enjoyed neat for those wild at heart, or – if you’re mastering your mixology skills – seek out a spectacular twist on a classic, with a Jura Espresso Martini:

  • Add 35ml Jura 12 Year Old, 15ml Coffee Liqueur, a single shot of espresso and 10ml sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake and fine strain into a martini glass.
  • Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

Jura 12 Year Old is available from a range of retailers including The Whisky Exchange, RRP £35.

 

Fettercairn 18 – A Highland Gem

 

Inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and crafted in harmony with nature, Fettercairn 18 pays tribute to local artisans and conscious craft. Its rich, nuanced flavours make a distinct pairing with game and foraged mushrooms, both currently on-trend for the ultimate Father’s Day soiree.

 

Fettercairn 18 Year Old is available from a range of retailers including The Whisky Exchange, RRP £175.

 

 

The Dalmore King Alexander III – A Gift Fit for Royalty

 

The Dalmore King Alexander III is a majestic addition for whisky collectors and afficionados this Father’s Day.

 

A spectacular example of the Highland distillery’s philosophy of multi-cask maturation, the expression showcases a one-of-a-kind assemblage of six noble cask finishes, sourced from renowned bodegas and winemakers across the world.

 

Crafted by Master Distiller, Richard Paterson OBE, the whisky offers a velvety-full bodied and complex flavour profile, with red berry and passionfruit on the nose, and notes of citrus, vanilla and crème caramel.

 

The Dalmore King Alexander III (40% ABV) is available from specialist retailers such as The Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange, and Master of Malt, RRP £295.

 

 

The Dalmore 21 – Unmistakably Rare, Unforgettably Dalmore

 

For the ultimate Father’s Day indulgence, gift a bottle of The Dalmore 21.

 

This exceptional whisky has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels and first-fill Sherry casks, which previously held 30 year old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry. The Sherry casks are hand-selected exclusively for The Dalmore from the world-renowned González Byass bodega, to create an extraordinary whisky full of character.

 

Featuring bitter chocolate accents, Seville orange and subtle spice, the expression is a perfect pairing for any social gathering. Aromas of toffee apple and pecan pie combine with notes of liquorice, black forest fruits, roasted walnuts and marzipan, all harmonised with peaches, ginseng and pear tarte tatin to create this must-have dram.

 

The Dalmore 21 Year Old (43.8% ABV) is available from specialist retailers including Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and The Whisky Shop, RRP £625.

Sampling The New Kilchoman Batch Strength Islay Whisky – A Gentle Giant!

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Kilchoman Batch Strength!

Kilchoman launch a new Core Range Release –
Batch Strength!

Batch Strength possesses all the character that typifies a classic Kilchoman; fresh, vibrant peat smoke, citrus sweetness and a balance of fruit and spices.

However, with the influence of re-charred red wine casks, there is an abundance of red fruits and caramel, and at 57% vol. rather than the standard 46%, it has a weight and power that makes you stand up and take notice!

At 57% Batch Strength is a giant of a dram. It has a raw intensity, that I love!

But importantly, that power is balanced by a delicacy and finesse that speaks for the quality of our production processes in the stillhouse and also the quality of casks used for maturation.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder

Kilchoman has kindly sent me a sample to try. (Thanks kilchomandistillery.com / @Kilchomanwhisky!)

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman Batch Strength! (57% – 50PPM)



Nose: The classic rich, smokey peat of a Kilchoman with a hint of sweetness but there’s also fruits and growing creamy toffee caramel together with hints of black coffee. Considering it’s ABV this dram is very kind to the nose!

Palate: Rich and heavy with smoke, peat and antiseptic flavours together with the addition of sweet, creamy toffee coming along a little later – with surprisingly, shades of mint!

Finish: A very smooth finish with ginger, pepper spice and added salt.

Overall: Certainly a dram to be added to your ‘Buy & Try’ list and one of the kindest of the high ABV’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to sample – it ticks A LOT of boxes. Savoury, smokey, sweet, creamy and fruity.

In short: A GIANT!

Once again, many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me this dram!

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman is a family run business established by Anthony and Kathy Wills in 2005.Ê As the business expanded, the husband and wife team were joined by their three sons; James, George and Peter.Ê

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman was the first new distillery to be built on Islay in over 124 years. Anthony Wills set out to resurrect the grass roots tradition of farm distilling. Our 100% Islay range represents the revival of those traditions, standing alone as IslayÕs only Single Farm Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

“Our range of single malts balance maritime peat smoke and crisp citrus sweetness with layers of cooked fruits and rich spices.”

2023 Awards

◼ The San Francisco World Spirits 2023 Ð Sanaig received the prestigious ÔDouble GoldÕ while Machir Bay was also awarded Gold

◼ The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters 2023 and The Sprits Challenge 2023 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals

Fettercairn Reveals Refreshed Domestic And Travel Retail Whisky Ranges!

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Fettercairn has unveiled revamped lineups for both its domestic and international travel retail markets!

Fettercairn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled revamped lineups for both its domestic and international travel retail markets, aiming to build on its current momentum!

As they enter their bicentennial year, Fettercairn is introducing a refreshed range for domestic markets and an exclusive range for global travel retail. Each range consists of three distinct whiskies that highlight Fettercairn’s signature tropical house style across various ages.

Fettercairn 12 Year Old

For domestic markets, enthusiasts can enjoy Fettercairn 12 Year Old, 16 Year Old, and 24 Year Old. International travelers will have exclusive access to Fettercairn 14 Year Old, 17 Year Old, and 25 Year Old.

These updated selections are designed to offer consumers new age statements to explore and are clearly differentiated by maturation, price points, and purchasing options, tailored to meet the preferences of both drinkers and shoppers.

All whiskies in these ranges are finished exclusively in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks, which perfectly capture and convey Fettercairn’s unique tropical profile as it evolves over different aging periods.

The domestic lineup begins with Fettercairn 12 Year Old, bottled at 40% ABV. This expression embodies the essence of the Highland distillery and serves as an ideal introduction to Fettercairn’s flavors, with tasting notes that include sweet nectarine, tropical fruits, roasted coffee, clove, and ginger, culminating in a finish of sultanas and black toffee.

It also serves as an excellent base for cocktails like refreshing highballs or fruity sours.

Previously offered as a limited annual release with various finishes, Fettercairn 16 Year Old will now consistently feature an ex-bourbon cask finish and be non-chill filtered with a natural color at 46.4% ABV.

This move, strategically decided by Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Distillery Manager Stewart Walker, presents a natural step up from the 12 Year Old, allowing enthusiasts to delve deeper into Fettercairn’s tropical style. This whisky offers flavors of grilled pineapple, vanilla, passion fruit, rich honey, Turkish Delight, and a finish that includes mandarin, cacao, and moist ginger cake.

Completing the core domestic range, Fettercairn 24 Year Old is a new addition, presenting the richest flavors at 46.5% ABV, non-chill filtered and with a natural color. It showcases an array of sweet and cooked tropical fruits, Madagascan vanilla, and red liquorice, with a sweet, spiced finish.

Additionally, Fettercairn 18 Year Old will continue to be available annually in select domestic markets, as part of a strictly limited release. This expression is the first from the award-winning Scottish Oak Programme, spearheaded by Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass, aiming to foster a circular economy within the whisky industry using locally sourced Scottish oak.

Domestic Range:

Fettercairn 12 Year Old.40% ABV. RSP $66 / £52
Fettercairn 16 Year Old.46.4% ABV. RSP $110 / £87
Fettercairn 24 Year Old. 46.5% ABV. RSP$635 / £500

For global travel retail, Fettercairn now offers an exclusive range!

For global travel retail, Fettercairn now offers an exclusive range consisting of 14 Year Old, 17 Year Old, and 25 Year Old whiskies, all non-chill filtered, with natural color in 70cl bottles.

Fettercairn 14 Year Old introduces a ripe, fresh aspect of the tropical house style with orchard fruits and delicate sweet spice. The 17 Year Old deepens into richer notes of honey, crème brûlée, and coconut. The 25 Year Old provides a glimpse into Fettercairn’s more rare and mature selections, offering flavors of sweet and cooked tropical fruits, passion fruit, warm vanilla, and freshly baked bread with a sweetly spiced finish.

These refreshed ranges will become available starting in April and mark the commencement of Fettercairn’s 200th-anniversary celebrations, available through specialist and luxury retailers throughout 2024.

Exclusive Global Travel Retail Range:

Fettercairn 14 Year Old. 46% ABV. RSP $89 / £70
Fettercairn 17 Year Old. 47% ABV. RSP $153 / £120
Fettercairn 25 Year Old. 46.3% ABV. RSP $667 / £525

Kilchoman Whisky to launch their first ever UK wide cocktail competition!

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Kilchoman to launch their first ever UK wide cocktail competition!

Kilchoman Distillery are delighted to announce the launch of their first ever UK wide cocktail competition!

The finale will be held on Islay in September!

To celebrate the launch of their new whisky expression –Batch Strength, the farm distillery has come up with an exciting challenge for UK bartenders.

“Shake the Farm” will see candidates compete to win an all-expenses paid four-day hands-on apprenticeship at the distillery on Islay and the opportunity for the overall winner to select an exclusive single cask bottling (and to take six bottles of it home with them).

The concept follows Kilchoman’s ethos by asking participating bartenders to create a cocktail that showcases both Kilchoman Batch Strength whisky and a British farmed or foraged ingredient.

The competition will take place in different stages with three heats across the UK and a finale held on Islay in September.

The competition is open to all bartenders across the UK.

Entry form here

For more information, have a look directly on their website:

Whiskystats Unveils Major Differences In Retail Versus Auction Whisky Prices!

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Whiskystats Unveils Major Differences In Retail Versus Auction Whisky Prices

Whiskystats, a premier whisky data analytics firm, has unveiled an exhaustive study showing a significant price difference between the retail and auction markets for whisky.

This study highlights that in 2023, whisky prices were 50-75% more at retail outlets than at auctions, suggesting auctions as a more budget-friendly option for whisky purchases.

Titled ‘Has Whisky Become a Buyer’s Market?‘, the report delves into the performance and trends of various whisky brands.

Key Insights:

– There was a 5% decrease in the volume of whisky bottles traded at auction houses, along with a 19% drop in their total sale prices in 2023.

– Over 10,000 bottles did not achieve their reserve prices at auction, a 36% increase from 2022.

– The auction market saw the most significant value drops in three Japanese brands: Chichibu (down 43%), Karuizawa (down 36%), and Yamazaki (down 33%).

– Glendronach and Port Charlotte emerged as the top performers in terms of ratings for their 2023 releases, based on analysis of Whiskybase data by Whiskystats.

– Conversely, Ardmore and Jura experienced the most significant drops in perceived quality, as reflected in public ratings.

– Craigellachie earned the title of the most improved brand of 2023, judging by shifts in public perception.

Whiskystats also launched a first-of-its-kind ‘collector-drinker gauge’ to compare secondary market turnover to public ratings and reviews.

The gauge reveals that Macallan, Hibiki, and Yamazaki are the most collector-oriented brands, while Ledaig, Kavalan, and Glen Scotia are the most drinker-focused.

Data shows that the whisky market is shifting. Buyers’ willingness to purchase whisky at listed retail prices has dropped significantly. And even for whiskies that eventually sell, bottles tend to remain on shelves far longer than in the recent past.

What we’re seeing in the auction market data is clear: prices are no longer reaching the peak prices of the COVID era, and there are some great bottles for sale at the lowest prices in years.
– Johannes Moosbrugger:

A full copy of the report is available for free download at: whiskystats.com/reports

About Whiskystats

Whiskystats is a Whiskybase company. Whiskystats and Whiskybase are independent: the report was not funded by any distillery group, bottler, whisky-adjacent agency, or related concern.

Each month, Whiskystats collects tens of thousands of auction price observations and tracks over 1.6 million whisky retail prices. Whiskystats incorporates ratings from Whiskybase, the world’s largest whisky database of more than 239,000 unique whiskies. Thanks to this unsurpassed dataset, Whiskystats is the standard bearer for whisky market analysis for collectors, producers, and investors.

On Whiskystats, users have access to reliable bottle-level details that allow them to accurately track auction lots, view historical and current auction prices, create and track the current market value of their whisky collection(s), set whisky watchlists, schedule notifications, and view millions of whisky ratings.

Sampling The Limited-Edition Whisky Me Burns Night Tasting Trio!

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The limited-edition Burns Night Tasting Trio!

To celebrate yesterdays Burns Night, a special three dram tasting was hosted by Whisky Me, the UK’s biggest whisky subscription club, on YouTube.

Led by Whisky Me founders Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson, they were also joined by Hugh Barron from James Eadie Ltd.

The limited-edition Burns Night Tasting Trio comprised each of the following Whisky Me exclusive bottlings, in partnership with some of the most esteemed Scottish distilleries:

  • Benrinnes, 9-Year-Old James Eadie
  • Glenlossie, 2017 Càrn Mòr (Whisky Me’s Traditional dram for subscribers this January)
  • Teaninich, 5-Year-Old Càrn Mòr

Don’t worry if you missed the tasting though because you can watch it here!

Whisky Me was founded by Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson of Black Rock – the east London bar that’s made whisky accessible to all since 2016.

It is a Whisky Club for The Curious and promises a monthly dram of incredible Single Malt Scotch or World Whisky – curated from the planet’s best distilleries – delivered to your door.

Being snobby or elitist about whisky is not part of their ethos. They know there’s no such thing as a typical whisky drinker and to prove it, their aim is to drop drams of the world’s greatest whiskies through as many letterboxes as possible!


As part of the celebrations Whisky Me has provided the following code with a 20% discount on full bottle versions of last nights Burns Night tastings: BURNS20

Valid until midnight Sunday 4th February!

Whisky Me kindly sent me the three Burns Night samples to try. (Thanks Whisky Me! / @whisky_me_)

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Benrinnes, 9-Year-Old James Eadie Single Malt Scotch Whisky (46%)

LOCATION: SPEYSIDE
AGE: 9 YEARS OLD
CASK: BOURBON HOGSHEADS

This Whisky Me exclusive bottling from James Eadie Ltd. is not a typical Benrinnes – a distillery associated with sherry cask finishing and the dried fruits that come with it – because it is matured in bourbon barrels. Thus, the underlying meaty character of the distillery is revealed.



Nose: Very syrupy fruity apples with brown sugar, molasses, cola, sultanas and popcorn and much, much later very creamy caramel – a mixed bag indeed!

Palate: Dark, spicy wood with plump fruits, apples and dark chocolate giving way to a dry popcorn finish with peppery spice.

Overall: There’s plenty going on with this dram and for those who literally crave the ‘spirit’ of adventure then this is certainly the whisky for you!

Tasting Notes – Glenlossie, 2017 Càrn Mòr Single Malt Scotch Whisky (47.5%)

LOCATION: HIGHLAND
AGE: 5 YEARS OLD
CASK: EX-BOURBON

This Glenlossie was distilled in 2017 and matured in a pair of bourbon barrels. This produced 500 bottles in total, most of which have gone into Whisky Me pouches.



Nose: Tropical fruits with pressed orange, ginger and vanilla.

Palate: Blood oranges, toffee, a little mint and hot pepper and ginger.

Overall: A Gorgeous “orange” experience but also much, much more. If only this dram was part of your “5-a-day!”

Tasting Notes – Teaninich, 5-Year-Old Càrn Mòr Single Malt Scotch Whisky (47.5%)

LOCATION: HIGHLAND
AGE: 5 YEARS OLD
CASK: BOURBON

This Whisky Me exclusive bottling in partnership with Carn Mor is a marriage of bourbon cask whiskies from Teaninich that were distilled in late 2017 and disgorged in 2023.
We cut the spirit to 47.5% which produced exactly 500 bottles, most of which have gone into Whisky Me pouches.



Nose: Fruity chews with green tea and strawberry.

Palate: Creamy strawberry, herb tea, apples and sweet chocolate with a savoury, peppery finish.

Overall: Creamy strawberries – who would have thought? Anyway, it’s here in this whisky in a true taste bud treat!


Don’t forget to use the Whisky Me code to receive a 20% discount on full bottle versions of last nights Burns Night tastings: BURNS20

Valid until midnight Sunday 4th February!

Sampling The Kilchoman Landmark 16 Year Old Whisky – The Years Have Been Good To This Dram!

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The Kilchoman 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky!

Kilchoman has launched their oldest global bottling to date – the Kilchoman 16 Years Old!

A marriage of both ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks …

This is a proud moment for all at the distillery as they release their oldest global bottling to date. A combination of 21 casks have been maturing for over 16 years, predominantly ex-bourbon barrels with a hint of ex-oloroso sherry, creating a perfectly balanced single malt.

With a marriage of both ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, this release showcases how the recognised Kilchoman flavours and character has developed over the last 16 years of maturation.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder, & Robin Bignal, Production Manager, have spent the last few years keeping a close eye on these early casks, waiting for the right moment to vat them together and form this momentous Kilchoman 16 Years Old.

A proud moment for all at the distillery as they release their oldest global bottling to date!

This is a landmark release for the distillery, the oldest global bottling we have done to date at 16 years of age.

I look forward to Kilchoman fans around the world tasting this outstanding whisky and experience the evolving character of our single malt.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder

The Kilchoman 16 Years Old is available from Kilchoman stockists now.

Kilchoman has kindly sent me a sample to try. (Thanks kilchomandistillery.com / @Kilchomanwhisky!)

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (50%)


21 Cask Vatting
50 PPM Heavily Peated

The last few years have been spent keeping a close eye on early casks to produce this 16 Year Old!

Nose: Smokey aromas with sweet ginger cake luscious fruits, savoury peat, dusky rooms and creamy vanilla and citrus.

Palate: Strong sweetness and equally strong savouriness with smokehouse peat, toffee apples, wisps of burning embers and growing antiseptic.

Finish: Intense, spicy pepper and chilli with some dryness at the end.

Overall: Truly a warming chest-rub of a dram! Love the fruity palate, the robust ABV and, of course, those fantastic smokehouse flavours – 16 years have been good to this dram!

Once again, many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me this dram!

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman is a family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay, Scotland. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots.

Their 100% Islay range is Islay’s only Single Farm Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It represents the revival of traditional farm distilling – growing our own barley before malting, distilling, maturing and bottling every bottle of our 100% Islay range on site.

In The San Francisco World Spirits 2023, Sanaig received the prestigious ‘Double Gold’

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.

2023 Awards

◼ The San Francisco World Spirits 2023 – Sanaig received the prestigious ‘Double Gold’ while Machir Bay was also awarded Gold

◼ The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters 2023 and The Sprits Challenge 2023 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals

The Tullibardine Distillery Tweet Tasting – Sampling Four Whiskies From Their Award-Winning Signature Range!

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The Tullibardine tasting set!

Tullibardine was the subject of a recent @TweetTastings, which was once again ably hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire.

This sampling, gave us the opportunity to taste the following drams:-

  • Tullibardine Sovereign
  • Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish
  • Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Cask Finish
  • Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish

The drams make up their Tullibardine tasting set which takes fans on a ‘stunning flavour journey’ and consists of four miniature 4 x 50ml bottles offering the perfect way for whisky lovers to discover Tullibardine’s award-winning signature range!

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hashtag #TullibardineWhisky on X (Twitter)

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and my favourites on the night!

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine Sovereign (43%)


Nose: Lots of apple orchard on the nose with some cane sweetnesss and hints of pears. Additionally, there’s some vanilla pastry with promises of some sweet spiciness and later on light tropical fruits make their presence felt.

Palate: A light mouthfeel with creamy sweet apples and orchard fruits with hints of tropical flavours.

Finish: Some mild pepper which gets seriously punchier with time and all ending with an astringent, crisp finish.

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish (43%)


Nose: Slightly sherried creamy nose with syrupy stewed fruits and apple – delightful! Quite jammy (strawberry et al) with hints of tropical fruits. dusky books and crayons – where did that come from?!

Palate: Hearty mouthfeel and quite savoury with some sweet apples, plump raisins and dry wood.

Finish: Nice sweet fruit jams as per the palate with some additional pepper, ginger and sweet spices – a lovely finish!

Whiskies that are exceptionally flavoursome!

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Cask Finish (43%)


Nose: WoW! Ribena for adults! YES! Very fruity and syrupy with blackcurrants, strawberries and creamy biscuit. One of the fruitiest noses I’ve ever …. nosed! Add in some creamy coffee and sweet chocolate and were being truly spoiled!

Palate: Lighter mouthfeel than I expected with sweet jammy overtones and creamy coffee chocolate undertones – cracking!

Finish: A powerful spicy finish with black pepper but tempered by vanilla pastry.

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish (43%)


Nose: Quite earthy this one and it’s being a bit shy nose-wise! Wth time there’s lots of demerera sugar, rose and candied sweets …. which is a surprise! Some red wine in addition but, alas, the sherry is eluding me!

Palate: Ah! There’s the sherry, waiting for me! Some nice dried fruits, coffee, chocolate and creamy, buttery pastry.

Finish: The smoothest spice finish I ever did taste – wonderful!

My Favourites On The Night


1. 228 Burgundy Cask Finish
2. 500 Sherry Cask Finish

Both are real delights tbh and both are exceptionally flavoursome!
.

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and Tullibardine (@Tullidistillery) for sending the samples and without whom!

Tullibardine is available to buy from these Merchants:-

The Speyside Distillery Tweet Tasting – Sampling Four Whiskies With Two At Cask Strength!

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The Four Speys!

Steve from The Whisky Wire recently held a Spey @TweetTastings which gave us lucky people the opportunity to sample the following drams:-

  • Spey Trutina Melody
  • Spey Beinn Dubh
  • Spey Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4
  • Spey Fumare Cask Strength Batch 4

Production at The Speyside Distillery started in 1990. The distillery took its name from the original distillery of the same name, located in Kingussie, which was operational from around 1895 – 1911.

The distillery is small in comparison with it’s closest neighbours (Dalwhinnie & Tomatin), with a 4.2 ton Semi-Lauter mash tun, 4 stainless steel washbacks and one pair of stills (11,000 wash & 8000 spirit).

Speyside Distillery uses a wide range of casks. The majority of these are American ex-bourbon barrels, but they also use casks sourced from Spain, Portugal and France.

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hashtag #SpeysideDistillery on X (Twitter)

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and my favourites on the night!

Tasting Notes – Spey Trutina Melody (46%)

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: Bourbon
Bottles: 1,500

SPEY Trutina, which takes its name from the latin for ‘honest & pure’, is said to signify the natural, simple characteristics of the Speyside Distillery.


Nose: Sherbet sweetness with green apples and some citrus. Some toffee notes and after a while the citrus increases with the addition of some herbs.

Palate: Strong lemon citrus balanced by sugary sweetness and chocolate.

Finish: Dry and powerful spicy pepper which is rather scrummy! The finish gets quite bitter at the end.

Tasting Notes – Beinn Dubh (43%)


Beinn Dubh
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
AGE: NAS
Casks: Bourbon barrels before being finished in heavily toasted Ruby Port casks

Beinn Dubh, which means Black Mountain, has been produced using water from the Cairngorm Black Mountain, and finished in heavily toasted Ruby Port casks from The Douro Valley.

Nose: What an inviting looking dram this is! On the nose there’s rich dark fruits with red wine and vanilla. It gets more porty as time goes on with some added coffee.

Palate: Lashings of Port and dark chocolate! Then there’s Dark fruits including prunes, wood, creamy vanilla and a little liquorice.

Finish: The spiciness grows but there’s sweet coffee and chocolate aplenty to keep it in check!

Tasting Notes – Spey Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4 (57.5%)


Initially aged in bourbon casks, this bottling has been finished in the Tawny Port casks from the family run winery, Quinto de Filoco, for 6 months. A limited release of 1500 individually numbered bottles. Bottled at cask strength, non chill filtered and with no added colouring.

Nose: Rich and earthy with some port and red wine. There’s also hints of toffee and sugary plump fruits. Oh, not forgetting some waxiness …

Palate: Cracking port and red wine flavours with sugary plums and chocolate – Yummy!

Finish: Dark and spicy with dry wood, treacle and blackcurrant.

Tasting Notes – Spey Fumare Cask Strength Batch 4 (58%)

Casks: Bourbon
Bottles: 1,500

Fumare was the first ever peated distillery bottling from Speyside Distillers, produced from peated barley which the distillery only used for a small amount of time each year. 100% matured in bourbon barrels, non chill-filtered and with no added colouring.

Nose: Woop! Woop! Back to the smokehouse! Smokey peat with sweet treacle and a few hints of antiseptic plus some lemon zest.

Palate: Smokey with deep, sweet peat plus sweet, creamy chocolate, some herbal flavours and powerful peppery antiseptic plus a few shades of mint!

My Favourite On The Night


1. Fumare Cask Strength Batch 4
2. Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4

I Love these new cask strengths and the Fumare Cask at this ABV is off the scale – a great balance of flavours!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and Spey (@SpeySingleMalt) for sending the samples and without whom!

Spey Whiskies are available to buy from these Merchants:-

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