Today’s teenage Tormore was distilled during the early years of Chivas’ decade of control at the distillery and bottled by independent bottler Scotch Malt Whisky Society. SMWS bottles more single casks than any other independent bottler in Scotland, so it was surprising to see that in 2021 they were only on their 35th cask of Tormore! Not counting closed distilleries, or those who have not sold casks to independent bottlers or brokers in the 1970s or 80s, that makes Tormore one of the more uncommon malts for the Society.

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Whisky: Tormore 14 Year (2007), SMWS 105.35 “Genuine Italian fake”

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 58.5%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 14 Years (Distilled 2 March 2007)

Notes: Apples and wax paper appeared with newspapers, candied almonds, straw, and a fried pear hand-pie. The aroma was malty, fruity, and papery with more fried dough in powdered sugar appearing along with some peppery, youthful spirit. Vanilla and coconut pudding cups offered a creamy sweetness to the fruits. Medium-bodied on the palate, the whisky was a touch oily, a bit waxy, but otherwise quite spirited and peppery— this felt a bit younger than it was. A spirited prickle and heat hit first, with baked apples, pears, and almonds following closely behind. Vanilla, cream, butter, desiccated coconut flakes and fried dough all left me craving donuts. A few drops of water tamed the heat and brought out more of the paper and grassy elements. The finish was medium to long, spirited, unless water was added, with orchard fruit tarts, fried dough, straw bales, and vanilla.

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Score: 6 (77)

Mental Image: Dough Fry in the Summer

Conclusion: This was quite spirited and youthful, with a vigor that was only tamed by water (and even then it remained a bit peppery, but more enjoyably so.) Water felt necessary to tuck into this whisky and get the lovely complexity of the aroma to come through on the palate. It was touch heavy to be entirely relaxing, but felt perfect for making a high ball with plenty of summer vibes. Overall, youthful, bright, and spirited— the kind of whisky perfect for starting the evening.