Tasting 4 Tullibardines

No Linkwoods today due to some upcoming sessions, instead some Tullibardines(!). I believe Tullibardine is a distillery that's trying hard to cope with a bit of a bad reputation from earlier days. I cannot remember ever hearing it being stated as a favorite by anyone. And it is also not a big favorite of the IB's. Their new effort to produce vintage bottlings seems to have given them some much needed PR at least. Personally I have tasted very little from this distillery this far.


Tullibardine NAS 40% OB

The former standard bottling which was the distilleries only bottling as well. Golden color. It smells straw, reduced white wine, bleach, perfumy. A light one, but the perfumy notes and what reminds me of very strong detergent or bleach puts me a bit off. The taste is light, citric, lime, ginger, grassy, some minty notes, rubber and old coffee. I think they made a wise decision putting a vintage selection out there, as I don't think many people would warm up more to this as other distilleries also pushes forward in finding a niche for their bottlings. ON the other hand, bottling at 40%abv. seems to be on its way to become a niche all on its own doesn't it?

It's a nice whisky, but more in blend territory: 4


Tullibardine 19yo 1988-2007 46% OB

One of the aforementioned vintage bottlings. I hope this one will stand a bit more out than the NAS OB. If the vintage doesn't do it I hope at least the rise to 46%abv. will made a difference. This one is a bit darker, some golden copper tones. This one smells dry, wheat, bitterish, rhubarb, grenadine, red berries, white wine. It's definitively much fuller and sumptuous than the NAS-version. The taste is winey, perfumy, short, rubber, ginger, bitter, lime, clove seeds, white peppers. This one lacks a bit on the palate compared with the NAS OB. A small drop of water gives way to a bit more sweetness, but it still lacks both a certain complexity and a finish.

I hope there's slightly better vintages out there, at least: 3.5


Tullibardine 15yo 1989-2005 49.8% Hart Brothers

Under 50%abv already at 15yo? Perhaps not the tightest cask at Tullibardine Distillery, or at least I hope so. The color is light apple juice/white wine. It smells white wine, citrus, lemon, onion soup, burnt rubber, soap. The fact that this one is bottled at CS is a difference which is only shown on the label thus far. The taste is better, sweet, lots of green apples and fresh mint. Sour candy. Also some ginger and tannins. If not a great Tullibardine, it sure is the best of this session by far.

Apple Bonanza: 6.5


Tullibardine 20yo 57% The Golden Cask

From the House of MacDuff, is this similar project as the Bladnoch Forum, just at the MacDuff Distillery instead? It doesn't seem that way according to online sources. The color is golden brown. It smells raw and burnt. A bit too much for me I think, but lets try it first without adding water. Sweet, creme brulee, honey, vanilla, a bit too sweet. Its a good whisky but not the most complex. Some peat would've worked magic in this one I think. Peppery and burnt with water added. I can't say that its a mediocre whisky, but its surely unlike most other whiskies. Reminds me of a buttery Loch Lomond. And if you still consider trying this one, I'll add that its actually not that bad.

It's the standard Tullibardine, but very amplified: 6.5



Next tasting: A mixed session