A trio of tasty Tullibardine


November 3, 2026

A trio of tasty Tullibardine

An idea for a session that came to me while listening to Bill Evans’ Twelve Tone Tune (TTT). Don't ask me why. Well not that I’m comparing myself to him, I’m just a lowly woodlouse by comparison.… Anyway. another distillery from the very far end of the alphabet that we enjoy tasting whenever the opportunity arises. (The Bill Evans Album, 1971)

Tullibardine 2013/2026 ‘The Murray’ (56.1%, OB, Cask Strength)

Apparently, the name ‘The Murray’ has nothing to do with a certain whisky writer of modest stature and a fondness for hats, who was rather active in previous decades. Colour: white wine. Nose: I believe Tullibardine continues to improve, retaining that beery, malty style while bringing in cooked fruits and a truly lovely mineral, slightly yeasty side. With water: sodden earth, limestone, clay… Mouth (neat): this is good, spicy, yeasty, fermentary, very close to bière de garde, overripe apples, sourdough, country bread and pepper… With water: very good indeed, with fresh apples arriving alongside hoppy touches. Does hopped cider exist? Finish: medium in length, gentle, a little honeyed, otherwise very much on farmhouse cider. Comments: the last versions of The Murray we tasted involved Port or Châteauneuf; this one follows a much cleaner, more precise line. Very, very good.
SGP:551 - 86 points.

Speaking of Port…

Tullibardine 22 yo 2004/2026 (47.8%, The Whisky Agency, Ruby Port barrique)

I believe these casks are generally called ‘barrica’ in Portugal, rather than the very Bordelais ‘barrique’. But once again, we’re splitting hairs… Colour: clairet, or ‘blouge’. Nose: familiar with blouge? It’s a blend of red and white wine that’s becoming increasingly fashionable in France. Anyway, I cannot fathom by what miracle this ruby Port finish works so well. Raspberry cake, cherry tart, guignolet cherry liqueur: all of this ought to send our little Tullibardine straight off the road, yet it does nothing of the sort. They must employ wizards and shamans at TWA or even summon the spirits themselves. Perhaps hold German voodoo ceremonies (which involve currywurst, I’ve heard)… Mouth: the worst part is that it’s exactly the same on the palate. Pink peppercorns galore, violet liqueur by the dozen litres, liquorice juice and, above all, sweet cherries, both fresh and candied. As it happens, we love cherries at WF, especially those found in great Burgundies. But all right, we’re in Porto… Finish: not all that long but still infused with cherries. Lovely freshly ground pepper. Comments: granted, you do have to like cherries. We do, so we like this very much, but shh, don’t tell anyone…
SGP:751 - 86 points.

Tullibardine 21 yo 2005/2026 (55.6%, Decadent Drams, first fill sherry hogshead, 274 bottles)

Colour: mahogany. Nose: Viennese hot chocolate, tarmac, wood glue, black truffle juice, robusta coffee, pipe tobacco and meat extract. Bouillon Kub, Bovril… Incredible consistency between the colour of the dram and its aromatic profile. With water: practically a blend of nuoc mam and Maggi (we know DD’s boss is a Maggi enthusiast). Mouth (neat): there’s been a mix-up: this is old armagnac. We shall immediately send a fax to Scotland requesting a detailed explanation. With water: everything relaxes and becomes lovely, saline, very much on broths and bone marrow, but also prunes, with a little smokiness. Dark chocolate and bresaola, then tar. Finish: quite long, heading towards pears poached in wine. All’s well that ends well. Comments: rather out there, but we like it. Very much, even…
SGP:562 - 87 points.

Check the index of all Tullibardine we've tasted