Single Malt whisky

Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Finish Whisky


I love innovative cask finishes, and today I try the Tullibardine 225 Sauternes cask finish single malt Scotch whisky. The history of Tullibardine has been linked to brewing and distilling for hundreds of years.

The distillery is in Blackford, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Rumour has it that in 1488, the young King James 4th of Scotland stopped here on his way to his coronation.

The story goes that he purchased some beer from the brewery. Some years later, the King granted the brewery a royal decree.  During the 1940s, the architect William Delmé-Evans noticed the brewery and converted it into a distillery.

They reopened the modern Tullibardine whisky distillery in 1947 and spirit ran from the stills two years later. The distillery changed owners a few times and was mothballed again in 1995.

Also ReadAmrut whisky

In 2003, the owners sold it to Tullibardine Distillery Ltd for £1.1 million, and production resumed during December 2003. In 2011, they sold the distillery to the French firm Picard Vins & Spiritueux. Other brands in their portfolio include Muirhead and Highland Queen whisky.

The Tullibardine 225 Sauternes cask finish whisky was finished in Chateau Suduiraut Casks which previously held Sauternes dessert wine. The Sauternes cask is 225 litres in size, and that is where the name originates.

Sauternes is a French sweet wine from the Bordeaux district. It is made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that have been affected by noble rot. The noble rot causes the grapes to become partially raisin-ed, resulting in a distinctively flavoured wine.

Sauternes wine flavours are characterized by the balance of sweetness with the zest of acidity. Some typical flavour notes include apricots, honey, peaches but with a nutty note. It will be interesting to see how all of this translated into the whisky.

Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish Whisky Review


REGION: Highland

ABV : 43%.

COLOUR: Light golden-yellow.

NOSE: Notes of fruity sweetness, sultana jam and condensed milk. There are hints of vanilla with spicy sweetness. The nose is light and fresh.

PALATE: On the palate, the Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Finish is surprisingly spicy with hints of citrus and oak. The peppery sweetness mixes with winter spice such as nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Notes of condensed milk float around. Adding a bit of water smooths out the spices and releases more of the sweeter fruity notes.

FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of spicy sweetness and orange peel.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Looking at the flavour notes of a Sauternes wine, I was expecting a sweeter dram. But the spicy fruitiness of the Tullibardine 225 was a refreshing surprise. The Tullibardine 225 Sauternes cask finish single malt also received a 90.5 rating in the Whisky Bible.

Best of all, this affordable whisky is available in South Africa. It retails for around R650. I need to explore more from this distillery.  Perhaps I can try the Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish next.

Also ReadGlen Scotia Dunnage whisky


Jeannette Wentzel

Recent Posts

Remy Martin XO Cognac

Let's change things up. This past weekend, we celebrated a special memory by opening some…

2 weeks ago

Loch Lomond Steam and Fire Whisky

Continuing with my notes from the Loch Lomond distillery visit, I'm diving into the Loch…

3 weeks ago

Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky: a battle of two iconic drams.…

1 month ago

Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition whisky

My husband John is a frequent traveller. Recently, he brought home the Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla…

1 month ago

White Horse Blended Scotch Whisky

Over the years, I have explored a variety of affordable whiskies, including releases from India…

2 months ago

Dewar’s White Label vs Famous Grouse Whisky

Looking around my whisky room, I was in the mood for an uncomplicated side-by-side comparison.…

2 months ago