This offering from the self-proclaimed "first distillery of the 20th century" is difficult to find in any one specific vintage. My notes here will reflect my take on the 1993 vintage specifically, though I must state here that having sampled other years and malts from Tullibardine, all possess a similar redeeming quality, as I have yet to encounter any malt from this distillery that has not called me back to the glass with a desire for more.
Nose: Playful vapours of fruit laid out under vanilla and oatmeal tease the senses with what is to come.
Palate: Opening with vanilla and honey, this gives way to round notes of cocoa fused with an underlying hint of orange and oatmeal, all the while remaining mellow, flavourful, and without any pervasive heat. Most certainly this provides the consumer with a mouth feel for those who cannot deal with a warm scotch.
Finish: Delightfully dry and coating. It draws nicely across the palette settling with the cocoa giving way to the fruit vapours first experienced on the nose.
Overall: A truly well rounded scotch with every indication of an unequivocally well finished and masterfully crafted whisky. Not only is this suitable on its own, it would undoubtedly create a most delightful Athol Brose as well, if one could find the strength within to sacrifice the joy derived from consuming this neat. A character trait that yours truly most certainly does not possess.
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