Claxton's Tullibardine 2008 - 16 years old

Tullibardine was founded in 1949 by architect William Delme-Evans as the first new distillery built in Scotland since 1900, on a site in Blackford, Perthshire with a brewing and distilling heritage stretching back to 1488 — when King James IV himself stopped there to purchase ale. Drawing its water from the Ochil Hills via the Danny Burn, the distillery is known for producing a classically smooth, honeyed, and fruit-forward Highland malt, unpeated and unhurried. This single cask expression spent a full 16 years — not a finish, but a full maturation — in a fresh sherry hogshead, layering rich, generous cask character onto Tullibardine's naturally sweet spirit. The nose opens with rich sherry, Bakewell tart, dunnage warehouse and vanilla; the palate delivers plenty of rich fruits, oak, malt and sherry warmth; and the finish is long and liqueur-like, with cherries and sherry carrying it home. Bottled by Claxton's as part of their Warehouse No. 1 series at 54.2% cask strength, just 130 bottles.