Spirit Type: Single Malt

Country: Scotland

ABV: 43%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

Tullibardine started working in 1949 after its initial construction, which had started in 1947, and it ran until 1995 before being put on hold by its then-owners Whyte & Mackay. It was abandoned for a number of years before being sold in 2003, at which point production was resumed. By 2011, it would undergo another transfer of ownership, this time to its present custodians, the French firm Picard Vins & Spiritueux. Since then, it has continued to produce a consistent core range of Highland single malt, as well as occasional limited releases and independently bottled products.

On the nose, it is bright, citrusy, inviting, and refreshing; the aroma reminds me of summer. Perhaps some chocolate and vanilla as a background for the fruity nose.

Although it is 43% ABV and has a little hotter palate, the spice is not alcohol but rather a sweet Chinese-style spice. Also included are sweet fruits, candied fruits, citrus, pineapple, and canned pineapple juice. Some people would believe that this makes it sound way too sweet, but to my palate, it's perfectly balanced. Fruity and delightful finish with a medium body and a long-ish lingering aftertaste.

I ought to have arrived here much earlier! Some people might assume my remarks suggest that this dram is particularly sweet; while I concede there is sweetness, it is by no means merely a juice drink. There are things to discover there, and this whisky will likely appeal to a different palate or aroma.

This is something to try if you enjoy a Sauternes or a dram that doesn't have a bitter aftertaste. Surely it's worth a taste when it costs less than £40 to purchase? It's time for me to open the last two Tullibardine bottles and wait for the editor to demand reviews!