Tormore 1995 20 Year 86 Proof Collection (Signatory)

Nose: Mild and slightly floral, with aromas of grass, hay, and cereal. Hints of green apple, lemon essence, and a touch of oak spice. Palate: The initial taste is grassy and astringent with bright citrus flavors. The middle develops nutty and oily notes, particularly peanut oil. A spicy, hot ginger character intensifies throughout, and the texture is quite waxy. Finish: Long and tangy, like overly acidic lemon curd, peppery, and spicy. A hint of bitter/sour wood tannin appears near the end. Tormore is a foundational component in Chivas Regal blends, contributing its characteristic citrus and nutty profile for structure. However, it's rarely seen as a single malt, except for an official 12-year-old bottling (which is decent but often unavailable) and some independent releases (which can be quite good). This particular expression, though, struck me as rather unsettled, bold, and not particularly appealing. I appreciate a challenging dram, but this leaned too much towards the unpleasant side, with a somewhat damp-hay, waxy funk that didn't quite balance the sharp citrus notes. Tasted at a Sydney whisky tasting event on May 22, 2017. "Above Average": 81/100 (3 stars).