Tormore 15 Year Old 1990s Bottling
70cl / 46%
£129.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: Yes
Tasting Notes
Oak, Lemon, Jasmine, Orange, Spices
Floral, Citrus, Tree Sap, Sugary, Herbal
Medium Finish, Licroce, Sweet, Hints of Oak
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A rare, discontinued distillery bottling from the late 1990s, showcasing the light, fruity house style of Tormore at an above-standard bottling strength.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Tormore Distillery / Distillery Bottling (Under Allied Distillers) / Scotland, Speyside |
| Category7 | Single Malt Scotch Whisky8 |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 15 Year Old / Component whiskies vintage of the 1980s / Bottled late 1990s |
| ABV & Size(s) | 46% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment9 | Oak casks (likely predominantly refill American Oak)10 |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer (Assumed: Caramel added) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No (Conflicting sources: some state NCF, others state chill-filtered) |
| Cask Strength | No (Bottled at 46% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (Limited commercial release) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retail, UK and European Markets (Premium Line) |
| Packaging | Standard distillery bottle shape of the era, sold in a presentation tube or box. |
| Notes on discrepancies | Verifiable sources conflict on the NCF status. The 46% ABV strength of the late 1990s suggests a premium release, as the standard bottling was often 40% or 43%. |
Historical Context
Tormore Distillery, known for its iconic modernist architecture, historically operated primarily as a blender's distillery, providing stock for brands like Long John. Official distillery single malt bottlings were, until recent years, quite rare and sporadic, making vintage releases highly collectible.
The Tormore 15 Year Old was an official release under the ownership of Allied Distillers in the late 1990s, a period when the single malt market was expanding, prompting distillers to release more aged statements. This 15 Year Old was positioned as a premium product above the core 10 Year Old expression, a designation confirmed by its 46% ABV bottling strength, which was considered an uncompromised strength for premium single malts of that era. This release was eventually succeeded by the standard 12 Year Old in the mid-2000s, leading to its discontinuation.
The 15 Year Old bottling from the 1990s is highly sought after because the liquid, distilled in the mid-1980s, is considered a high-quality vintage. Its gentle, fruity, and light spirit style is given ample time to mature (15 years) in predominantly refill casks, allowing the true Tormore character to fully emerge without excessive oak influence.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The technical distinction of this discontinued expression is its above-standard bottling strength.
- ABV: The 46% ABV is the critical specification, placing it above the typical 40% or 43% bottling strengths of the era and marking it as a premium release.
- Age: The 15 Year Old age statement confirms a good maturation period for Tormore's typically light spirit.
- Cask Profile: Matured in oak, likely Refill American Oak, which preserves the Tormore spirit's inherent light, floral, and fruity characteristics.
Documented variants
Tormore distillery bottlings from the 1990s are limited to a small number of age statements.
- Tormore 15 Year Old (46% ABV): The specific premium bottling under review.
- Tormore 10 Year Old (40% or 43% ABV): The contemporary core range bottling of the 1990s.
- Tormore 12 Year Old (40% ABV): The succeeding core bottling introduced in the 2000s.
| Variant Matrix | ||||
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 46% | 70cl | Global Specialist Retail | 15 Year Old age statement, late 1990s bottling | High (Discontinued, above-standard strength, good age) |
| 40-43% | 70cl | Global | 10 Year Old age statement | Low (Standard core range) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The bottle's value is dependent on its age statement and strength.
- Labelling: The label must clearly state "15 Year Old" and "46% Vol".
- Closure: Standard cork and capsule. The fill level should be excellent (Into Neck).
- Box/Tube: The original presentation box or tube, if present, is a bonus for collectors.
- Common Pitfalls: Confusion with the lower-strength 10 Year Old bottling is a risk.
Regulatory/terminology notes
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Confirms the liquid's basic origin and composition.
- Chill-filtered/Caramel Colouring: The NCF status is conflicted. However, the 46% ABV bottling strength suggests a minimal intervention approach, though the addition of caramel colouring (E150a) is assumed.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is fruity, floral, and elegant, showcasing the Tormore spirit's ability to mature well over time.
Nose: Delightful blend of sweet old wood (furniture polish notes) intertwined with lemon, orange, and the floral aroma of jasmine tea. Subtle spices like nutmeg and mint are present.
Palate: Slightly sweet and waxy undertone. Flavours of floral citrus, orange barley sugar, tree sap, and malt. The 46% ABV provides a good mouthfeel and carries a lively spiciness.
Finish: Medium-length, sweet, and clean. Accented by lingering licorice, orange peel, and a hint of oak.
With water: Not stated by the producer. At 46% ABV, water is optional. A small addition may further soften the light spice and amplify the floral notes.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The market is stable, driven by the rarity of distillery-bottled aged Tormore.
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. Estimated to have been in the £30.00 - £40.00 range in the late 1990s.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £129.00 - £170.00 (Current specialist retailer listings).
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £80.00 - £120.00 (Typical hammer price range).
Pricing stratification: Pricing is determined by the 15-year age statement and 46% ABV.
FX note: No conversion used.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is sporadic; the bottle is sold out and appears regularly at auctions.
Sourcing
Buyers should exclusively verify the 15 Year Old age statement and the 46% ABV strength.
Avoid any lower-strength bottlings (40% or 43%) or NAS expressions.
Fill level should be excellent (Into Neck).
Margin expectations are moderate to high, as the secondary market price is significantly higher than the original RRP.
