How Tullibardine Creates a Actually One-of-a-Type Single Malt

In partnership with Tullibardine

“Pure Highland Gold” is a phrase typically used to explain Tullibardine Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It’s as a lot a nod to the distillery’s excessive requirements of high quality as it’s a recognition of the supply of the distillery’s water and, some would say, its greatness.

Shaped greater than 400 million years in the past with layers of basalt and purple sandstone, the Ochil Hills are extensively identified in Scotland for the gold that was mined there. Right now, they’re famend for the mineral-rich water they supply. It’s in these hills the place the Danny Burn originates , the beginning of a meandering journey that finally flows by the Tullibardine distillery, a monument to conventional distilling and artisan craftsmanship that is still as related and very important as we speak because it was in 1488 when King James IV stopped by the positioning — a brewery on the time — and made what was recorded because the first-ever public buy of beer in Scotland.

“Craftsmanship is on the coronary heart of all the pieces we do,” says Distillery Common Supervisor and 20-year trade veteran Mike Elliott. “This manner we will keep true to the model’s heritage and deal with the standard of the spirit, which has gone from energy to energy.”

One other manner the distillery stays true to its heritage? All of its merchandise are nonetheless made within the Blackford, a quaint village nestled within the Ochil Hills in Perthshire. Tullibardine is one among a really small variety of impartial, family-owned distilleries in Scotland, the place the manufacturing of its single malt whisky takes place totally on website. They’ve their very own cooperage, maturation warehouses, mixing facility and bottling line, with a devoted craft crew overseeing all processes and specializing in spirit and wooden high quality. “We’re in a position to retain full management of the processes from grain to glass,” Elliott says.

The result’s a line of whiskies that’s concurrently unpretentious but refined with the fervour of an artist — and it now encompasses a pair of expressions accessible solely within the U.S. for stateside whisky fanatics to expertise Tullibardine’s character and the spirits’ journey by numerous maturation intervals in high-quality ex-bourbon casks.

First, the Artisan, with candy barley sugar notes, delicate hints of vanilla and honey and only a contact of freshly baked malt biscuits. Subsequent, the 12 12 months Outdated, matured in first-fill, ex-bourbon barrels and characterised by spherical malt, vanilla and toasted-oak flavors that result in creamy honey and chocolate notes, ending with baked apples, caramel and marmalade. 

We additionally should point out maybe the jewel within the crown of Tullibardine’s signature vary (although not a U.S. unique), the extremely awarded 15 12 months Outdated. It’s matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels for 15 years to create an outstanding single malt that’ll offer you freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and cream, adopted by delicate dried spices, candy barley sugar and a delicate nuttiness, ending with warming creamy spices.

There’s one thing for each whisky drinker within the lineup. Elliott sums it up properly, with equal elements satisfaction and humility befitting Tullibardine’s heritage.

“Let’s be very sincere — there are lots of implausible single malts within the market which are all distinctive, however when individuals style our merchandise they get a fantastic dram, with layers of complexity at a worth they’re pleasantly stunned by each time.”