Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 63.9%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Berry Bros & Rudd
Average price: € 195.00
Official website: bbrspirits.com
It is always a pleasure to see a single cask bottled for Italy, and if it is done on behalf of other whisky enthusiasts, the pleasure is even greater.
Federico Carlino (known to most as Pug Spirits) and Davide Morelli (of the Viterbo-based Dal Moro Shop) have entrusted themselves to the historic Scottish bottler, choosing part of a cask from a distillery that is certainly unusual as a debut, given that one does not hear of Tormore very often.
It came to attention recently through its acquisition by Elixir Distillers in 2022, and still awaits a proper relaunch by its new owners, the Singh brothers.
A (very) cask strength single cask that in its fraction has yielded 120 bottles that will be released to the public around mid-June 2025, while they are already available for the b2b market.
Tasting Notes
Fruity and vegetal tones on the nose, starting with pineapple, peach, green apple, gooseberry, kiwi and lime, passing through tea leaves and tobacco, in a weave that makes fresh pungency its bulwark. The pastry part is the background, with candied citron, lemon cream, scones and candyfloss, crossed by a rather pronounced balsamic vein (eucalyptus and mint). Peeled almonds and liquorice root complete the picture, in a minor tone. Over time, it dilutes the angular aspects in favour of the sweeter ones, while the addition of water brings them to the foreground, making it rounder and more amiable. Summery.
On the palate it is the spices that sting, between ginger and black pepper, re-proposing the score of the nose with a greater thrust on the acidulous tones that clearly prevail over the softer and sweeter ones, pushed to the bottom of the drink. Gooseberries and unripe fruit in a big way, with liquorice, nuts (almonds, walnuts), lemon and balsamic notes dominating the senses. The water brings pastry to the surface, with fruit and cream tartlets, candied fruit (citron, pineapple, coconut), marzipan, leaving the balsamic and acidic aspects well defined.
Quite long finish of spices, nuts, pineapple, liquorice, balsamic notes, lemon.
Although not annoying, the strong alcohol content requires taming to allow the distillate to emerge and acquire balance, with a fresh and lively profile that knows how to make itself loved.
Vote: 85/100