1983 Tormore, Private Collection, 40-Year-Old, Speyside, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (51.6%)
About this SPIRIT
Tormore Distillery, Speyside
Tormore is a relatively young Speyside whisky distillery, founded in 1960 primarily to produce whisky for use in Long John blends, and soon after the Tormore malt was also used among Ballantine’s blends. In 1991 Tormore was one of the whiskies included in the ‘Caledonian Malts,’ alongside Glendronach, Laphroaig and Miltonduff.
Tormore produces a few distillery bottlings, including a 10yo, 15yo and Cask Strength malt. Other independent bottlings are more commonplace.
There is a time capsule buried in the forecourt of the distillery which is meant to be opened in 2060, and it contains, among other things, a tregnum of Long John blend, which, after 100 years of aging, should be a formidable drink for the person lucky enough to unearth the capsule.
Speyside Whisky
To some Speyside represents the jewel in whisky’s crown. Speyside is the home of legal whisky production and it’s best known examples. Around the world Glenlivet, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenrothes and Glenfarclas typify all that whisky, at it’s best has to offer. At it’s heart running from the Monadhliath mountains north to the sea, is the River Spey. It is the fastest flowing river in Britain, and also well known for its salmon fishing.
Speyside is the principal whisky-producing region: Speyside has within it some forty-six operating distilleries - over half the total number in the entire Scotland.
Speysides are essentially sweet whiskies. They have little peaty character They are typically highly perfumed, feminine and elegant.
The classical nature of Speyside’s malts means that a number of the finest malts are used almost exclusively for blending. It is the top Speysider’s that give good blends their ‘Top Dressing’.
Malts such as Mortlach, Glen Elgin, Strathmill and Benrinnes are rarely found as distillery bottlings, however when individual casks are tracked down by independent bottlers such as our Own Selection Single Malt Whiskies the resultant whisky can be quite wonderful.
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
Established in 1958 in Speyside, Tormore Distillery is renowned for its architectural beauty and high-quality whiskies. The distillery building is a protected historic site known for its distinctive design and beautiful gardens. This is an independent bottling by Gordon & Macphail of a 40-year-old single-cask Tormore. The whisky’s four decades of ageing in a refill sherry puncheon have brought rich, spiced flavours. It was bottled at cask strength without chill filtration or added colour.
Iain Glover, Spirits Advisor, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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