Tullibardine 34 Year Old 1980 Malts of Scotland

A few months ago I tried the completely new range of official Tullibardine, but age-wise they do not even come close to this new Malts of Scotland release. This one matured for 34 years on a sherry cask. Tullibardine 1980 – it is a first for me. It was distilled in May 1980 and bottled in June 2014.

Wonderfully sweet nose on cocoa butter, mashed banana with brown sugar, mirabelles, honey, beeswax, gooseberries and maraschino cherries. Vanilla, almonds and a hint of candy floss. Yep, this is great! I cannot pinpoint the spices, but I daresay I detect cinnamon and a smidge of saffron. Stunning nose, really. If he can keep this up on the palate, we have a winner. Diluted too. But do not add too much water of course. It makes him more green, on garden herbs.

It is very creamy on the palate, but honeysweet with a sour edge. The spices explode now: ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves. Phew! I am getting warm. The fruit from the nose returns, joined by some oranges. Zesty! Despite the rather modest ABV, this sure is a powerhouse. Very good even though the nose promised a little more. It is more than fruity enough to be called a winner. Adding water makes it less fruity, less spicy, but more herbal. But then, why would you add water to this one?

The finish is long, warm, sweet and puts a smile on my face.

Grand Tullibardine. No need to add water, but it can handle it. 200 EUR? I do not think that too much for such a great dram.

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