Tormore 23yo 1990/2013 Duncan Taylor Dimensions cask 1588 55.3%
Tormore was built in 1960 to meet original owners Long John International’s blending needs, so it is a young and large distillery who owes its eight stills to pure economics, no bones about it. No stories of illicit smugglers in glens or preachers hiding bottles in the pulpit here, but my word, find me a grander looking distillery:
Here’s the distillery in August 2014, it is BIG, and also conveniently located on the main road between Grantown-on-Spey and Aberlour. Be prepared to be surprised by its size as it suddenly pops out from behind the trees as you take the corner. It is as if the architect Sir Albert Richardson intentionally alluded to the illicit history of the distiller in placing his site, and the future of the industry in designing his facade. Love has clearly been lavished on this site, note the topiaries and pool that was meant to serve as a curling ring in winter. Also the bell clock is said to play four different Scottish melodies at the quarter hour, but I didn’t wait to be serenaded – it was cold and there is no visitor centre.
(Photo credit to the whiskyphiles)
This picture of the still room shows fairly regular stills with straight lyne arms but each is equipped with a large purifier, which together with the quick mashing and short ferments in stainless steel mash tun and washbacks suggests that the malt distilled here was designed to be on the light and malty end of the spectrum – perfect for blending. Despite this I was surprised to learn that the malt used here is actually slightly peated, though Dave Broom (‘The World Atlas of Whisky’) states otherwise.
Nose: Ouch powerfully spirity. A padded punch of american oak scents rise out of the glass, so the usual butterscotch, vanilla, big white pepper and also a fizzy citrus effervescence. Needs water. OK, still hugely fresh and vibrant despite its 23 years. Fizzy top notes – citrus blossoms, new pinewood, bright vanilla, candied lime peel, grated ginger. Very ‘green’ with sour green apple peelings and unripe kiwi. This has got to be a second refill bourbon barrel.
Palette: Chamomile tea, fairly mouth coating. Again big white pepper and menthol! Rather dry with dusty malt bins and bitter with swiss chard. Top notes of grapefruit zest and still very green and ‘unsprouted’ around the tongue.
Finish: Dry, malty, ginger powder.
Light bitter-zesty and dry whisky somewhat tempered by the attentions of american oak, very decent for its type, and manages to be both modern and un-engineered.
Whiskyrific RSS
- Millburn 36 yo 1969 / 2005 Douglas Laing #DL2152 50% vs Glenburgie 40 yo 1963 / 2003 Signatory #4751 56.4%
- Ben Nevis 23 yo 1996 / 2019 Single Malts of Scotland for the Nectar #536 51.3% vs A Speyside Distillery 32 yo 1989 / 2022 Thompson Bros 51.4%
- Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 61.1% vs Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 58.7%
- Talimburg 19 yo 1986 / 2005 The Whisky Fair #1485 45.9% vs Talisker 20 yo 1981 / 2002 62%
- Caol Ila 12 yo Bulloch Lade for Zenith 43% vs Caol Ila 30 yo 1979 / 2010 Berry Bros #4604/5 55.6%
- Clynelish 29 yo 1965 Whyte & Whyte 52.1%
- Brora 21 yo 1982 / 2003 Signatory #416 58.4% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1982 / 2009 Synch Eli Daily Dram 46%
- Dornoch 5 yo 2017 / 2023 #46 ‘Jasper Broers’ 57.9% vs Shizuoka ‘private cask’ 2017 / 2022 #2017-108 61%
- Clynelish 26 yo 1993 / 2020 Carn Mor #11215 52.7% vs Bowmore 17 yo 2004 /2021 SMWS 3.327 ‘Siren’s Song’ 57.1%
- Talisker 25 yo ‘Bottle TA25 3987’ 45.8% ~ bottle code L0296CM004 bottled 2020 vs Ledaig 11 yo 2008 / 2019 The Swan Song & 1BRD #700104 58.7%
whiskyrific 