Tullibardine Octave: Ruby Port steroids!
Independent bottler Duncan Taylor pride themselves with years of experimenting with smaller casks, favouring the effect it has on a whisky. They select from their own stock (single) malt that is maturing in more regular casks, and then give it a finish in the smaller octave. You can read more about it here. I am not quite sure if I am the biggest fan of this practice. We know that a distillery like Wolfburn has matured and released lots of expressions from Quarter casks, but the Octave is even smaller. How do you prevent the whisky from pressure cooking into a oaky experience?
A good friend of mine acquired a bottle from an Octave that was bottled for a local retailer. I do not seem to find it in the Whiskybase, which is usually a good indication of a bottle flying under the radar. Marcel kindly gifted me this sample. In the bottle was a Tullibardine that was turned into a cola coloured specimen. Let us see if we can still find some distillery character. Tullibardine used to be the Ugly Duckling among the Scottish whisky landscape, but the owners have turned that around quite nicely. Personally, I think “Tulli” performs quite well on the heavier casks. That should make the following sample a delight then!
Tullibardine 12 years old, bottled at 54,8 % abv by Duncan Taylor
First things first: This Tullibardine was distilled on 30 May 2013 and bottled on 3 April 2026 from cask # 10546739. It received a finish in a Ruby Port wine cask. Smaller cask, bolder flavour, as the Octave label says. This is the new presentation of this Duncan Taylor series.
Upon Sipping: It is certainly not a one-sided fruit explosion. Yes, there are cherries and strawberries in abundance, but I also pick up a more meaty note, probably derived from the strong wood influence. It reminds me of the more beastly Mortlach in a way. On the palate the body is quite full and dark, like extremely thick apple butter. The finish of course displays heavy dark chocolate notes, but never gets too wood driven. After some sips, I do pick up a light hint of sulphur, but nothing that makes us go screaming for the hills. In fact, this is quite a juicy, tasty dram. With water, the nose seems to close up a little, and the sulphury note is enlarged a tad. There is a more drying, indeed plankish note at the finish now. In short: drink it as it is, because the balance is quite fine when undiluted. Nowhere is this Tullibardine Octave burning or feels too high in alcohol. In fact, the Ruby Port influences are modest.
Word to the Wise: If you like your whisky powered up with extra flavours, this Tullibardine or indeed the Octave series of Duncan Taylor is worth looking into. This expression throws a curveball, taking you pleasantly by surprise, there is no denying that.
Score: 83 points.