Little Duos, today Tullibardine


October 30, 2024

WF’s Little Duos, today Tullibardine

IB vs. OB.

Let’s go…

(Flavour profile imparted by a proper used cask of Palo Cortado accorting to brokers/ coopers Toneleria del Sur in Montilla (Casknolia)

Tullibardine 12 yo (46%, Cadenhead, Original Collection, matured in palo cortado, 2024)

A release from August of this year. Colour: gold. Nose: bursting with oranges – if you’re as fond of them as I am, you’re in for a treat. Jaffa cakes, honey, a touch of olive oil (Spanish, of course) and freshly peeled oranges. There’s also a hint of macarons and amaretti biscuits. Honestly, on the nose, it’s wonderfully done, but that’s often the case with good palo cortado. Mouth: yes, very good, especially considering the relatively modest price. Chocolate, walnut cake (that’s quite pronounced), turrón, hazelnut spread and peanut butter, roasted pecans… All of it works like a charm. Finish: perhaps its slightly weaker point, with some flinty notes, leather, and a touch of bitter orange taking the lead at this stage. Comments: frankly, this is a lovely little Tully. By the way, there is indeed a 'Tully' distillery in Washington State, USA, though I don’t believe I’ve tried anything from them. And let’s not forget Grandtully in Scotland, though that one closed back in 1910.
SGP:361 - 86 points.

Watch out, red wine ahead, hold on tight...

Tullibardine 2008/2024 (46%, OB, The Murray, Châteauneuf-du-Pape finish, 15,720 bottles)

They call it a ‘drop of pure Highland gold’, though with some Châteauneuf influence, I’m not so certain. That said, Tullibardine is one of those malts that has really improved over the years, much like the reds from Châteauneuf-du-Pape themselves—not just Rayas, of course. Colour: apricot gold. Nose: not bad, but the vinosity is definitely noticeable. Strawberry and cherry jam, very ‘Grenache’ indeed. It’s not unpleasant at all, but you’d better enjoy pronounced winey notes in your malt whisky if this is to be your cup of tea. I mean, you see what I mean. Mouth: similar feelings on the palate—well-crafted, but the cherry really takes centre stage here. Think cherries in kirsch, and that well-known Belgian beer, Kriek, which our Belgian friends don’t seem to rave about. There’s also some rosehip tea and blood orange in the mix. The texture is rather pleasing. Finish: fairly long, with flavours of cherry clafoutis. Comments: the Miclo distillery here in Alsace matures some of their whiskies in cherry in kirsch casks, and that works quite well as a ‘variant’. Anyway, this ‘Murray’ is pretty decent, just not my preferred style. Those cherries though!
SGP:551 - 83 points.

Check the index of all Tullibardine we've tasted so far