Tullibardine 15 Years Review

“A Light Summer Appetizer"

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland (Central)

Brand: Tullibardine 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 15 Years

ABV: 40 %

Date: 30/04/2014

Colour: Chardonnay

Nose: Simple, Light, Floral and Perfumed. I find light Honey, light Vanilla, Nuts, Lemon Zest, Barley Sugar, light Butterscotch, Marzipan, light Alcohol, light Oak Toast, Butter Kekse (German Butter Biscuits) and a hint of grated Chocolate or perhaps Cocoa Powder.

Palate: Slightly Thin Delivery. This was to be expected given the low ABV. The Alcohol is more noticeable on the Palate. I also find Sweet Barley, Oak, Vanilla, Butter Kekse, Milk Chocolate, light Honey, light Spices (Pepper mainly), Lemon Zest, Grapefruit Juice, slightly Bitter Orange Juice and a bit of Mint.

Finish: Middle-Long. Bitter Sweet at first but mostly Dry towards the end. I find a light Alcohol Bite. Also Sweet Barley, light Wood, Grapefruit Juice or slightly Bitter Orange Juice, Pepper and Lemon.

I added a little Water and you get more Barley and Marzipan on the Nose. But Palate and Finish become too Watery. Better sip it neat. 

Rating: 81

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: This 15 Year Old Tullibardine is part of the old Standard Distillery Bottlings alongside a.o. the 10 years and the NAS Aged Oak. In 2013 they were replaced by the NAS Sovereign, the 225 Sauternes Finish, the 228 Burgundy Finish, the 500 Sherry Finish, the 20 and 25 Years. It won't be easy to find this 15 Years but it would probably sell at around 50 US Dollars. The 15 Years matured in a mix of Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry Casks.

The Tullibardine Distillery was founded in 1949 and is located in Blackford (Perthshire) on the site of a former Brewery. In 1995, Tullibardine was mothballed by Whyte & Mackay, the owners at that time. Production was resumed in 2003 when the distillery was sold to Tullibardine Distillery Ltd. In 2011, the French Maison Michel Picard from Chassagne Montrachet became the new owner.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: This Tullibardine certainly smells and tastes younger than its 15 Years. And the Casks did not leave a huge impression on the Spirit. It's Simple, Floral, Perfumed and Malty. On the Nose, the Alcohol seems reasonably well integrated but on the Palate and in the Finish it is more present. In conclusion, I find this Single Malt rather plain and uneventful although it might work as an appetizer on a warm Summer Day!

Jan van den Ende                                                                   April 2014