Tullibardine 10 Year Old (1990s Edition)
70cl / 40%
£59.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Coloring: Yes
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Tullibardine 10 Year Old — 1990s Edition
A rare bottling of Highland single malt distilled prior to the distillery’s 1994 closure, representing a distinct era of production history.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Tullibardine Distillery / Distillery Bottling (DB) / Highland, Scotland (Perthshire) |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 10 Years Old / Distilled c. 1980s / Bottled 1990s (Circa 1990–1994) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV / 70cl (UK Standard) |
| Cask / Treatment | Not Stated by the producer (Assumed refill oak casks) |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer (Likely Chill-Filtered at 40% ABV) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (Standard production run) |
| Intended channel | Core range retail, pre-closure market |
| Packaging | Standard glass bottle, typical 1990s-era paper label presentation. |
| Notes on discrepancies | This 70cl/40% ABV bottling is distinct from the older 1980s variants which sometimes appeared in the 75cl volume format. |
Historical Context
The Tullibardine distillery ceased production in 1994 following its acquisition by Whyte & Mackay, and was mothballed until 2003.
Consequently, the Tullibardine 10 Year Old (1990s Edition) represents the spirit produced just before this major operational interruption. It encapsulates the house style of a distinct era under the previous ownership structure, utilising stock that was not designed for the extensive portfolio restructuring that would follow the post-2003 revival. Its value as a collectible item is intrinsically tied to its non-renewable vintage status, making it a piece of history from the distillery's early production life.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The 10 Year Old designation confirms that the whisky was matured for a minimum of ten years. The spirit is bottled at the industry standard of 40% ABV in a 70cl capacity. Tullibardine spirit is consistently known for its delicate, fruity, and approachable character.
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 70cl | UK/EU (Pre-Closure) | 1990s bottling style, standard post-1980s volume | Medium-High (Historical and vintage scarcity) |
| 40% | 75cl | Vintage Export | 1980s bottling, historical export volume | High (Older vintage collector item) |
| 43% | 70cl | Modern Core Range | Later expressions (e.g., 18 Year Old) | Low (Continuous production) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The market values bottles that have maintained excellent liquid integrity. Due to the cork closures common in the 1990s, meticulous inspection of the fill level is advised, with Upper Shoulder (US) or High Shoulder (HS) being the minimum accepted thresholds for collectible value preservation.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The 10 Year Old meets the standard age statement requirement. The 40% ABV is the legal minimum and implies chill-filtration was used to ensure clarity and product stability during retail display.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The Tullibardine house style is generally described as being notably fruity and gentle.
- Nose: Expected to be light, malty, and fruit-driven, likely featuring notes of fresh orchard fruit, possibly pear and apple, with a soft background of vanilla.
- Palate: Generally smooth and highly accessible. The taste would likely centre on clean cereal sweetness, honeyed malt, and restrained oak spice.
- Finish: Expected to be clean, moderate in length, retaining the spirit’s inherent sweetness.
- With water: Generally unnecessary for reducing alcoholic heat and risks diluting the delicate profile at 40% ABV.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
- Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): $\text{£69.99 – £120.00}$. This disparity reflects the variable pricing applied by specialist secondary market retailers.
- Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): $\text{£22.50 – £48.00}$.
- Pricing stratification: Despite its status as a discontinued age statement from a historical era, auction prices remain surprisingly low, close to the cost of current mass-market NAS whiskies. Specialist collectors pay a significant premium (up to $\text{£120}$) when the item is listed through informed, high-end retail channels.
- Liquidity $\to$ sourcing note: Liquidity is low and dictated by the non-renewable nature of the stock.
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Retailer | Current (Est. 2025) | 70cl, 40%, 1990s | 120.00 | Specialist valuation |
| UK Retailer | Current (Est. 2025) | 70cl, 40%, 1990s | 95.00 | Specialist valuation |
| EU Auction | Undated | 70cl, 40%, 1990s (2 bottles) | 48.00 | Converted hammer price per bottle |
| UK Auction | 02/01/2024 | 70cl, 40%, 1990s | 22.50 | Recent low hammer price |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Tullibardine Distillery, now owned by Picard Vins & Spiritueux, has evolved into a modern single malt producer. The house style is defined by a gentle, fruity, and highly accessible spirit. This 1990s bottling is a direct ancestor of that clean, light style.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras: Exclusively target bottles with the 10 Year Old age statement and packaging consistent with the 1990–1994 bottling window. The 70cl volume is the most characteristic variant.
Red flags to avoid: Avoid later NAS or cask-finished products from the post-2003 revival era. Be vigilant regarding cork condition and liquid level due to the age of the closure.
Condition thresholds: High Fill Level (Upper Shoulder or better) is critical for confirming liquid integrity.
Margin/velocity expectations: Velocity is slow. Margin is highly achievable if stock is acquired at auction prices (c. $\text{£25–£50}$) and then successfully re-marketed to collectors at specialist retail valuation (c. $\text{£70–£120}$)
