Tullibardine

Introduction:

Tullibardine distillery underwent a complete revamp of its whisky range, introducing expressions such as Tullibardine Sovereign, Sauterness, Sherry, and Burgundy. These malts, aged without a specified time frame, undergo special wood finishes for approximately 12 months. Additionally, Tullibardine released a 20 – year – old and 25 – year – old expression, along with the introduction of the Custodian Collection, which featured a remarkable 60 – year – old whisky distilled in 1952.

Previous Tullibardine whiskies were known for their slightly oily texture and floral, nutty flavors. The new owners have maintained the light, floral, and malty character, but the intensive wood management has made it challenging to define a distinct distillery character.

Production:

Tullibardine aimed to produce 2.5 million liters in 2015, and with the recent acquisition of buildings for additional warehouses and a bottling plant, production is expected to increase. One of Tullibardine’s strengths is its water supply, sourced from the Danny Burn, which originates from the surrounding Ochil Hills. The water naturally filters through basalt and sandstone layers over a 15 – year journey before reaching the distillery. Tullibardine continues to follow traditional production methods, prioritizing traditional techniques over modern computerized technologies.

The Mashing:

Tullibardine employs a semi-lauter mashtun made of stainless steel, capable of handling 6 tons of material.

The Fermentation:

The distillery utilizes nine stainless steel washbacks for fermentation, which lasts at least 52 hours.

The Pot Stills:

In 1973, Invergordon Distillers, who acquired Tullibardine in 1971, increased the number of stills from two to four. The wash stills have a capacity of 21,500 liters, while the spirit stills hold 16,200 liters.

The Warehouses:

Tullibardine has several bonded warehouses on – site, although some have been repurposed for the adjacent shopping center in Blackford. However, the distillery is actively creating new warehouses to accommodate its maturing casks.

History:

Tullibardine has a rich history that dates back to 1488 when King James IV of Scotland stopped in Blackford and awarded the local brewery a royal charter for its excellent beer production. The brewery was eventually converted into Tullibardine Distillery in 1947 by William Delme Evans. Ownership changed over the years, with the brand becoming famous under Invergordon Distillers, and later being acquired by Whyte & Mackay in 1993. After a period of closure, Tullibardine returned to production in 2003 under private ownership. Since 2011, the distillery has been owned by French wine and spirits group Picard Vins & Spiritueux.

Visitor Center:

Tullibardine offers a welcoming visitor center where various tastings and tours are available. The “1488 Café” serves homemade scones and cakes, providing a pleasant dining experience. The distillery shop and visitor center can be contacted by phone at 01764 661809 or via email at shop.admin@tullibardine.com.

Visitor information:

Tullibardine Distillery
Blackford
Perthshire
United Kinddom
PH4 1QG
Tel: +44 (0)1764-661809
Email: shop.admin@tullibardine.com