Tormore 1988 (Gordon & Macphail) Single Cask / Juul’s Ping No.8

A highly rare, 30-year-old single cask Tormore, independently bottled by Gordon & Macphail, and exclusively selected for a Dutch retailer.

Historical Context

Tormore is a beautiful, architecturally significant Speyside distillery, built in 1958, known for producing a consistent, light, and delicate single malt, most of which has historically been used in blends such as Long John. Official distillery bottlings have been scarce, making older expressions from independent bottlers highly prized.

Gordon & Macphail (G&M), a highly respected family-owned independent bottler, holds some of the deepest and oldest stocks in Scotland. G&M's practice is to acquire new-make spirit and fill it into casks selected and owned by them, often resulting in spectacular, long-aged releases like this one.

The Tormore 1988 is a testament to G&M’s maturation expertise. Distilled in 1988, a key decade for Speyside production, it was matured for 30 years in a Refill Bourbon Hogshead (Cask #6079) before being bottled in 2018. The Refill cask is crucial: it allowed the delicate Tormore spirit to mature for three decades without being overwhelmed by excessive oak, a common pitfall for whiskies this old. The release was a single cask selection, bottled exclusively for the Dutch retailer Juul's Vin & Spiritus as their "Ping No.8," making it exceptionally rare with an outturn of only 205 bottles.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

This whisky is a rare example of well-aged Tormore, presented in the classic G&M Independent Bottling style.

• Maturation: 30 years in a Single Refill Bourbon Hogshead. The long maturation time is the core technical aspect. A Hogshead is a medium-sized cask (approx. 250 litres), and the Refill status ensures the wood’s influence is subtle, preserving the spirit's delicate, fruity character over three decades.
• Presentation: Bottled at Cask Strength (52.8% ABV). This high strength, after 30 years, indicates an exceptional quality cask with a moderate Angel's Share. It is Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) and presented with Natural Colour.
• Rarity: The 30-year age statement, 1988 vintage, and tiny outturn of 205 bottles make this a highly specialized collector's item.

Documented variants

This is a singular single-cask bottling. Variants are defined by other G&M single casks of Tormore.

• Tormore 1988 (G&M) Cask #6079 (52.8% ABV): The 30 Year Old specific single cask under review.
• Tormore 1990s G&M Cask Strength: Younger single cask releases from the same bottler.
• Tormore Official Bottling: Any rare official bottlings from the distillery itself.

Packaging & authenticity checklist

Authenticity rests on G&M’s meticulous labelling.

• Labelling: The G&M label must clearly detail the Distillation Year (1988), Bottling Year (2018), Cask Number (#6079), and ABV (52.8%). The specific "Juul's Ping No.8" over-label or branding is crucial for this specific release.
• Closure and Fill: Standard cork and capsule. For a 30-year-old, a fill level of High Shoulder (HS) is acceptable, with a perfect Into Neck (IN) fill being extremely desirable.
• Common Pitfalls: As a high-value, exclusive bottling, verification of the outturn (205 bottles) is key.

Regulatory/terminology notes

• Independent Bottling: G&M owned the spirit and cask from the start, a different structure to official distillery bottlings.
• Single Cask, Cask Strength, NCF: These features confirm the maximum quality and transparency in the liquid's presentation.
• Refill Bourbon Hogshead: Crucial for allowing the Tormore spirit to mature gracefully for 30 years without becoming overly woody.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile is highly mature, complex, and elegant, demonstrating the rare, deep character of Tormore after three decades in refill oak.

Nose: Extremely fragrant and complex. Elegant notes of citrus zest, aged honey, and exotic spice (clove, nutmeg). Underlying floral and light fruity notes of dried apricot and mango, characteristic of old Tormore.

Palate: Medium body and oily texture. The taste is remarkably balanced: soft honey and vanilla from the bourbon wood blend with a core of tropical fruit (pineapple, mango) and sweet malt. The 52.8% ABV provides excellent structure without harshness.

Finish: Extremely long, soft, and slightly drying. Fades slowly with lingering spice, baked apple, and gentle oak.

With water: Highly recommended. A small addition of water greatly enhances the creamy texture and releases an even more intense bouquet of tropical fruit and floral aromas.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The market is exceptionally strong, driven by the extreme age, the G&M pedigree, and the small outturn.

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. Estimated to have been in the £250.00 - £350.00 range upon release in 2018.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £500.00 - £750.00 (Based on similar G&M 30-year-old Tormore releases).

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £350.00 - £550.00 (Typical hammer price range for 30-year-old single cask releases).

Pricing stratification: Pricing is extremely high and stable, reflecting the rarity and age.

FX note: No conversion used.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is very low; the bottle is sold out and rarely appears outside of high-end specialist auctions. Demand is consistent and very high.

Sourcing

Buyers must target bottles that explicitly feature the "Juul's Ping No.8" exclusive branding. The 1988 vintage is highly prized.

Red flags to avoid include any fill level below the high shoulder, which is critical for a whisky of this age.

Fill level should be High Shoulder or above.

Margin expectations are high, as the extreme age and low outturn ensure substantial long-term value appreciation. Velocity is slow but reliable at the high end of the market.