Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Finish

Following up on their Sovereign bottling, I'm keen to explore the different cask finishes and see how they stack up. I don't know a lot about Sauternes, but I suspect that won't hinder my enjoyment. The aroma is quite an experience, initially presenting abundant fruit and honey, then it vanishes, replaced by the rich, earthy cereal notes of a distillery's malting floor. But the journey continues, returning to citrus mingled with a hint of peppery spice. It strongly resembles Glenmorangie 10. The initial taste coats your mouth with a syrupy sweetness, which might sound unappealing as I write it, but it's rather pleasing. This sweetness provides a base for the zesty, peppery notes to engage the sides of your tongue, while the rest of your palate is immersed in a rich malt flavor. The finish revisits the familiar pepper notes, which aren't necessarily hot but demand your attention. This is not an overly complex pour; in fact, it's quite straightforward, but its deliciousness and intrigue make you want another sip. I have the 228 and 500 expressions remaining, and if this indicates the improvement over the Sovereign, I'm anticipating a delightful week.

The aroma presents notes of hay and grain. The taste is somewhat aggressive, with hints of young wood and alcohol. Pleasant honey and orange notes are present, along with a distinct cereal character and a touch of rye tartness. It's drinkable, but would be improved with additional aging. Its quality is comparable to Macallan 12. The profile features abundant fruit and mineral, complemented by a bitter richness from the barrel. The grain contributes a clean taste with a subtle malty depth. The balance is somewhat off, and the flavor lacks fullness, but it has potential with more time. Hints of pineapple and possibly mango mingle with the orange. I'd prefer if the bitterness wasn't so prominent, though it does prevent the spirit from tasting like mere flavored water. A subtle, somewhat unpleasant peaty bitterness remains, but it is accompanied by a note of harvest apple. While not quite on par with Macallan 12 Sherry, it is still enjoyable to drink. The alcohol presence is certainly quite pronounced.

This is my second time trying a Tullibardine, and this particular bottling was finished in Sauternes casks, which gives it a richer taste. Nose: Straightforward pepper, with notes of herbs, anise, and saffron. It's incredibly spicy, bringing to mind a Turkish market, with a hint of honey. Quite intriguing. Palate: Honey and pepper dominate, followed by pineapple and almonds. It's a bit direct, but it's decent. Finish: Pleasant and lingering. It's smoky, like a smoldering cigar, with hints of dry grass, tobacco, and a potent smoky character. In summary, this is an enjoyable drink that could complement flavorful meals, though it's not my top choice for a daily sipper. 81/100

It could easily be mistaken for an average spirit enhanced by an overly generous application of sweet wine barrel flavor. While this is accurate, it still possesses a certain charm, and the outcome is better than one might expect. Aroma of citrus, vanilla, and syrup. On the palate, these flavors persist, complemented by spice. The alcohol is a bit aggressive, though not enough to ruin the experience. A predictable dessert wine note lingers at the end, but fades quickly. The recommended retail price is about £40; I paid £30. At that price, it was an intriguing experiment, but not something I would purchase again.

Incredible! This fantastic bottle holds subtle complexity. The aroma begins with red velvet cake, developing into a very delicate nuttiness, and concluding with the characteristic Sauternes finish. The aromas blend seamlessly and flow together effortlessly. The first sip offers a comforting warmth, reminiscent of reuniting with a childhood friend. Hints of fruit and caramel transition into oak, followed by the Sauternes influence. This prompted me to revisit the aroma and taste to ensure I wasn't mistaken. A beautiful bottle.

An elegant Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Tullibardine Distillery in the Highlands of Scotland, finished in a 225-liter cask (hence the name) that previously held maturing Sauternes dessert wine from Chateau Suduiraut. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of orange, grapefruit zest, vanilla cream, golden syrup, black pepper, allspice & cocoa butter; while a spicy development adds notes of orange candy, Seville marmalade, dried pineapple & white chocolate; culminating in a long, rich & spicy conclusion with notes of lemon. June / October 2020 / August 2022