The Whiskyphiles

Tullibardine

Tullibardine-distillery

History Tullibardine distillery was established in 1949, producing a single malt whisky. The whisky distillery is located in Blackford, Perth and Kinross, close to the Ochil Hills and the Danny Burn, their main water sources. The distillery was mothballed in 1995 by then owner Whyte & Mackay. In 2003, it was sold to Tullibardine Distillery Ltd, who resumed production. In 2011, the distillery was sold to the French firm Picard Vins & Spiritueux.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official bottling
  • Tullibardine 225 (2022) – from Tullibardine’s spirit. This one seems quite light on the impact of the finishing cask and I found myself wishing it went a little further, the end result is a sweeter and fruitier dram with a touch more woody spices too. 81/100
  • Tullibardine 228 (2022) – Revisiting the Tullibardine 228, albeit in it’s revised packaging I was slightly underwhelmed with this expression compared to my first experience. Perhaps it was due to following the sweetness of the 225? I didn’t feel this had quite as much of the red wine influence as tasted prior and my fear was whilst the overall quality of Tullibardine’s releases has been normalised and raised slightly it has dulled the extremes which made them fun and interesting. Maybe in a different line-up or pairing this one will shine differently? 79/100
  • tullibardine-228-burgundy-cask-finish-whisky Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish (2016) – Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Cask Finish (43%, OB, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Tullibardine Distillery Bottling: Picard Vins & Spiritueux ABV: 43% Cost: £40.63 What they say: This is a delicious whisky from Tullibardine, released in 2013. It sees the Highland whisky finished for 12 months in 228-litre Red Burgundy wine casks from […]
  • Tullibardine 500 (2022) – My favourite of the tasting – I guess no surprises there! I guess like the whole range I felt this was a bit safe and unchallenging. I’d prefer a bit more strength or depth to some of the finishing flavours – but perhaps that’s just my palate and predilections. The whole range is quite polished and well put together, meaning accessibility and joy for newcomers. Thankfully Tullibardine have extended their signature and other ranges greatly since these were released in 2013 and I guess I should be exploring these more myself. 83/100
  • Tullibardine Sauternes Finish Tullibardine Sauternes Finish (2013) – Tullibardine Sauternes Finish (40%, OB, 2010) 46% ABV, £45 for 70cl Score 78/100 What they say: Sauternes is only made when the conditions in Bordeaux are perfect*; the wine is deliciously sweet and incredibly sort [sic: sought; If you are sorting a thing, you’ve presumably already found it!] after. We have managed to source barriques […]
  • Tullibardine-Sherry-finish-single-malt-scotch-whisky Tullibardine Sherry Finish (2013) – Tullibardine Sherry Finish (40%, OB, 2010) 40% ABV, RRP £35 for 70cl Score 73/100 What they say: The Tullibardine spirit was re-casked into an Oloroso sherry cask for around 18 months. Tasting Note: On the nose hints of toffee and apples with an edge of cereal notes, on the palate vanilla and toffee abound with […]
  • Tullibardine Sovereign (2022) – Good texture and rounded with a good balance between fruit and oak wood before drier and spicier elements add interest. Perhaps a shade of spirit nature belies the youthfulness on the palate. 80/100
Independent bottling
Cadenhead
  • Tullibardine 21 Years Old 1993 Small Batch (2015) – Tullibardine 21 Years Old 1993 Cadenhead Small Batch (46.9%, Cadenheads, Bourbon Casks, 492 Bottles, 2014) Highland single malt scotch whisky 46.9% ABV, £66.95 for 70cl available from Score: 85/100 What they say: It’s been some time since we had a dram from Tullibardine so we have added one for the Autumn 2014 season, Another one of […]
  • tullibardine-22-year-old-1993-small-batch-wm-cadenhead-whisky Tullibardine 22 Years Old 1993 Small Batch (2016) – Tullibardine 22 Years Old 1993 Small Batch (47.3%, WM Cadenhead, Bourbon HHs, 528 Bottles, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Tullibardine Distillery Bottling: Cadenhead’s Small Batch ABV: 47.3% Cost: £81.04 What they say: A small batch bottling of 22 year old Tullibardine single malt Scotch whisky, drawn from two bourbon hogsheads which matured […]
Hopetoun
  • Tullibardine Hopetoun Hopetoun Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2014) – ‘Hopetoun’ Single Malt Scotch Whisky ~ 40% (Hopetoun) 40% ABV, Score: 80/100 What they say: A whisky with a deep oaky flavour with a smooth aftertaste of caramel and spice. What I say: Bottled for Hopetoun House and sold at their farm shop, produced at Tullibardine distillery and matured in bourbon oak (assuming from the […]
Lady of the Glen
  • lady-of-the-glen-logo Tullibardine 14 Years Old 2006 Rum Finish (2020) – Tullibardine 14 Years Old 2006 Rum Finish Whisky Review: A real sweet-tooth’s delight, the 7 years in ex-Rum has dolloped dessert all over this whisky. A little like ice-cream with a dram poured over it the whisky starts to seep out of this later displaying a great balance between initial and later cask maturations. 89/100
Lockett Bros
  • Tullibardine 21 Year Old Fidra Lockett Bros Tullibardine 21 Years Old 1990 Fidra (Lockett Bros) (2013) –  ‘Fidra’ Tullibardine 21 Years Old 1990 (46%, Lockett Bros, Bourbon HH #6108, 156 bottles, 2012) 46% ABV, £49.99 Score: 83/100 What they say: Lockett Bros ‘Fidra’ 21yo Tullibardine highland single malt scotch whisky. Outturn of 156 bottles. Distilled 25/09/1990, bottled 12/04/2012 from bourbon hogshead cask #6108 What I say: Purchased from Lockett Bros wine and specialist […]
Master of malt
  • tullibardine-26-year-old-1989-single-cask-master-of-malt-whisky Tullibardine 26 Years Old 1989 Single Cask (2021) – Woody oak and tropical fruits prevail in this delicious old dram, I’m left searching a little bit for character here but maybe that’s just my distraction? 86/100
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
  • SMWS 28.28 Lay your head on my pillow SMWS 28.28 Lay your head on my pillow (2015) – Tullibardine 10 Years Old 2005 (60%, SMWS, 28.28 Lay your head on my pillow, Refill Bourbon, 223 Bottles, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Tullibardine Distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 28.28 ABV: 60.0% Cost £45.50 Score: 83/100 What they say: 28.28 Lay your head on my pillow Cask No. 28.28 A […]
The Firkin Whisky Company
  • Tullibardine 2012 The Firkin 49 (2021) – This Tullibardine has a lovely mouthfeel, smooth then zesty, much of the sherry influence from the finish comes later on the palate. 85/100