Tullibardine was one of the new distilleries born in the wake of the Second World War when rationing for barley and equipment were relaxed. It was nearly lost after being mothballed in 1994 as the doldrums of the Whisky Loch continued to linger; such was the fate of Rosebank, Littlemill, Lochside, and other late casualties. However, Tullibardine followed the path of Glen Keith and reopened in the early 2000s. While the distillery is fairly prevalent on retail shelves, it is somewhat unusual to find from independent bottlers, and this is somehow only my second review ever of a malt from the Highland distillery. This wee dram came via a Cadenhead’s Enigma tasting pack that I picked up in Campbeltown.

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Whisky: Tullibardine 12 Year (2012) Cadenhead’s Original Collection

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 46%

Cask: Palo Cortado Finish

Age: 12 Years (Distilled 2012, Bottled Sept. 2024)

Notes: Big fruity candies and new car— slightly plastic and chemical, and why are you opening food in the new car? Gummy worms, Tootsie Rolls, and sour patch kids met cola bottles and strawberry-vanilla cream soft chews. A bit more apple cider and polished wood came later as more oak and cherry wood asserted themselves. Medium-bodied on the palate, the flavors were again very fruity with a kiss of milk chocolate and slightly more cleaning agent than new car.  A touch of spirit, bruised fruits, and sour butter arrived with orange, apricot, and ginger marmalade. The finish was medium-length with fruit jams and woody tannins, a hint of bitterness, and some cinnamon sticks from the spice cabinet.

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Score: 5 (73)

Mental Image: Candy Stash Hiding Place

Conclusion: A fruity, sweet malt met a fruity, sweet cask and the end result was something fruity and sweet. I found this oddly chemical a times with a latent sulfur quality that sometimes popped up, most often on the finish. The kiss of bitterness that came at the end was a welcome contrast to the sweeter fruits, but the dram often felt a touch cloying for my taste. Overall, not my jam, though if I had more I would try it in a highball.