Speyside’s pearl shines again
Tormore Distillery has a glorious Speyside setting
Tormore steps back into the spotlight with its first permanent single malt range, writes Gordon Thomson
For a distillery often described as one of Speyside’s best-kept secrets, Tormore has spent a remarkably long time hiding in plain sight.
The handsome distillery, with its distinctive copper roofs and manicured grounds, has stood proudly beside the A95 since 1959, looking every inch the whisky landmark. Yet while generations of whisky drinkers have unknowingly enjoyed its spirit in blends, relatively few have had the chance to get to know Tormore as a single malt in its own right.
That is about to change.
Now under the ownership of Elixir Distillers, the distillery has unveiled the first permanent range in its history: three whiskies designed to showcase the bright, fruit-driven character that has long made Tormore a favourite among blenders and whisky insiders.
The relaunch is also the culmination of a long-held ambition for brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, whose influence on modern whisky appreciation through The Whisky Exchange is difficult to overstate. Having spent decades introducing drinkers to the world's finest single malts, the pair have long dreamed of nurturing a distillery of their own. When Elixir acquired Tormore in 2022, they inherited not simply stills and warehouses, but one of Scotland’s most architecturally remarkable distilleries and a spirit they believed deserved a far bigger audience.
Head blender Ollie Chilton
The launch marks another significant milestone in the renaissance of a distillery affectionately known as “The Pearl of Speyside”. Built by celebrated architect Sir Albert Richardson between 1958-60, Tormore was conceived as far more than a production site. It was inspired in part by the writings of novelist Neil Gunn, who had previously worked as an excise officer, and possessed a romantic and philosophical vision of Scotch whisky. Richardson imagined a thriving whisky village, complete with workers’ cottages, a village hall, ornamental gardens, a curling pond and the famous musical clock tower that still chimes Scottish tunes throughout the day. It was, as head blender Oliver Chilton puts it, “designed and built to be a community distillery.”
Distillery manager Polly Logan
Since acquiring the site, Elixir has taken an equally thoughtful approach to the whisky itself. Head blender Oliver Chilton and distillery manager Polly Logan have spent three years examining mature stocks while refining production, extending fermentation times, experimenting with yeast strains and slowing distillation to preserve the spirit’s hallmark orchard-fruit character.
For Sukhinder Singh, the project is about rediscovering a style of Scotch he believes has become increasingly rare. “When I fell in love with whisky,” he says, “many of the whiskies were elegant, fruity and light.” While acknowledging the popularity of heavily sherried and oak-driven styles, Singh believes there is still a place for whiskies that allow the distillery character to shine.
The result is a trio of whiskies that feel distinctly modern while remaining faithful to Tormore’s elegant DNA.
Tormore 16 Year Old Sherry Cask
Rather than chasing heavy wood influence or fashionable extremes, the emphasis is on balance, freshness and drinkability. Pear, peach and citrus notes run through the range like a house signature, supported by carefully judged bourbon and sherry cask maturation.
As Chilton explains: “We didn’t want to overshadow its wonderful character but instead enhance the distillery’s natural personality through careful cask selection.”
For whisky lovers who have wondered why Tormore has never quite enjoyed the same profile as some of its Speyside neighbours, this feels like a long-overdue correction. More than 65 years after first flowing from its stills, one of Scotland’s most beautiful distilleries may finally be getting the single malt it always deserved.
If these first releases are a sign of what’s to come, Speysides pearl may finally be ready to shine.
The Barley verdict
Speyside gems: the new Tormore range
Tormore Timeless (43% ABV, £41.95)
A bright, approachable introduction to the house style. Fresh vanilla, lemon zest and honeysuckle sit atop juicy orchard fruits, with peach tea and gentle baking spice emerging on the palate. Light-bodied but surprisingly characterful. Ideal as a summer dram or served in a highball.
Score: 8/10
Tormore 12 Year Old (46% ABV, £54.95)
The standout of the range for everyday drinking. Bourbon, cream sherry and toasted oak combine to create notes of peach cobbler, vanilla fudge and poached pear, backed by toasted almonds and coconut. Creamy, rounded and effortlessly drinkable.
Score: 8.5/10
Tormore 16 Year Old Sherry Cask (46% ABV, £79.95)
A nuanced take on sherry maturation that never overwhelms the spirit. Spiced brioche, sticky dates and demerara fudge mingle with citrus oils and delicate nuttiness from Oloroso casks. Richer and more contemplative than its younger siblings, yet still unmistakably Tormore.
Score: 9/10
The Tormore range is available to buy now here from The Whisky Exchange
