Tormore 1990 The Whisky.dk Series 17 year old Single Speyside Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

Near Advie in the Cromdale Hills stands a distillery that looks more like a town hall from another era than a place that makes spirit. Granite walls, a copper roof and a clock tower playing Scottish tunes. Behind the facade runs a light, fruity Speyside spirit that spent decades vanishing into blends. Here, for once, it stands alone in the glass.

Expert's Description

Tormore 1990 The Whisky.dk Series is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured for 17 years in a Bourbon hogshead and bottled at 46%.

Whisky.dk has put its name on the label, and the series is approved by us. The spirit was distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2007. It is neither chill-filtered nor coloured, and only 32 bottles exist, each one hand-numbered.

Tormore was built in 1958-60 for the Long John blended brand, designed by Sir Albert Richardson, then President of the Royal Academy. It was the first new distillery in Speyside in the 20th century. Most of the output has ended up in blends such as Ballantine's, and independent bottlings have always been relatively rare. Since 2022 the distillery has belonged to Elixir Distillers, who have given it its first permanent range.

A hogshead is a little bigger than the classic Bourbon barrel, so the wood works more slowly relative to the amount of whisky. That suits a light spirit like Tormore's. The cask brings vanilla, honey and pale, dry oak, while apple, pear and citrus still get room to speak. Seventeen years has been enough to round everything off without putting out the freshness, and 46% without chill filtration adds a little extra body.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh and elegant. Vanilla, honey and ripe apples come first, and with a little time it opens up to pear, citrus peel, light florals and a dry thread of oak underneath.

Palate

Soft and rounded. Vanilla custard and malt meet honey and pale fruit, with the Bourbon cask adding sweetness and a touch of spice. Lemon and almond appear along the way while the oak stays calm in the background.

Finish

Medium to long and fairly dry. Vanilla and citrus fade slowly, and spiced oak is what remains at the very end.

Specifications

Name: Tormore 1990 The Whisky.dk Series Speyside Single Malt Whisky 46%
Distillery: Tormore
Bottler: The Whisky.dk Series
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 17 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1990
Bottled: 2007
Number of bottles: 32
Edition: The Whisky.dk Series

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Vanilla-sweet · Honeyed · Lightly floral · Dry oak

Did You Know?

Tormore's grounds include a curling pond, quite possibly the only one at a Scottish distillery. By all accounts it has never been used.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tormore 1990 The Whisky.dk Series

Is Tormore 1990 The Whisky.dk Series worth it?

Yes, if you want a mature, rare Speyside whisky from a distillery that rarely gets bottled on its own. Only 32 bottles exist, it spent 17 years in a Bourbon hogshead, and it is neither chill-filtered nor coloured. Tormore is still one of the lesser-known names, so bottles with this age and background don't turn up every day.

What does Tormore 1990 17 year old taste like?

Light and fruity rather than heavy: vanilla custard, honey and ripe apples, with lemon, almond and dry oak in the background. The Bourbon cask adds sweetness and a little spice, and the finish is medium to long and fairly dry. If you prefer big sherry or heavy smoke, this is a different style.

What does a Bourbon hogshead do to the whisky?

It gives vanilla, honey and pale oak without taking the fruit away from the spirit. A hogshead is a little bigger than a standard Bourbon barrel, so the wood works more slowly relative to the volume of whisky. That suits a light spirit like Tormore's, where apple, pear and citrus can still come through after 17 years.

Should Tormore 1990 be served with water or ice?

Try it neat at room temperature first, then add a single drop of water if you want the apple and light florals to open up. Ice isn't needed at 46% and mutes the delicate notes more than this whisky deserves.

Which glass suits Tormore 1990 best?

A tulip-shaped glass such as a Glencairn gathers the aromas and lets vanilla, fruit and florals separate on the nose. See our range of whisky glasses.

Where is Tormore, and who owns the distillery today?

Tormore sits near Advie in the Cromdale Hills, in the heart of Speyside. Elixir Distillers has owned it since 2022 and has given it its first permanent range of single malts, after most of the spirit went into blends for decades.

Is Tormore 1990 a good gift?

Yes, for someone who appreciates light, fruity Speyside whisky and wants something that isn't on every shelf. Only 32 bottles exist, they are hand-numbered, and Whisky.dk is on the label, so there's a story to tell with it. If the recipient likes heavy sherry or strong smoke, other bottles will suit better.