Tormore Whisky

In 1958, Tormore whisky distillery was built by Schenley International, they had intentioned it to supply whisky for their Long John blends. The rather elegant distillery sits in the Cromdale Hills of Speyside, surrounded by pine forest and overlooking the River Spey. The buildings were designed by Sir Albert Richardson, of Royal Academy fame, and are so picturesque they are already B-listed and, furthermore, have been reproduced in scale model form for an exhibition at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh.

Production commenced in 1960 and, following a healthy start, the stills capacity was doubled to number eight. Today, Tormore has a capacity of 3.7 million litres annually, all of which is filled at Chivas Bros warehouses. Some of the spirit is returned for maturation at the distillery.

Allied Domecq acquired Tormore in 1989 and five years later the first official house bottling was released, Tormore twelve year-old. Independent bottlings are rather rare, and the official range is quite small, one can, however, find Tormore in the Ballantine’s blend. Presently under Pernod Ricard ownership following Chivas’ 2005 acquisition of Allied Domecq.