Tamdhu 10 Year

One more sample as part of our trading team--courtesy of Ryan. Here's a bit of a dilemma. I couldn't stand the aroma of this, was almost like fermented vegetables, like cabbage. But the palette then turns into a mix of chocolate and orchard fruits, with a hefty dose of hazelnuts. I I loved the palette and finish, but I couldn't get past the aroma. Maybe I let it stand out too long? Not sure. Obviously something I did, since seems like no other reviewer mentioned fermented cabbage as an aroma. ( tainted Glencairn? Tainted water? Who knows)

Stop number 34 on the SDT is Tamdhu. Tamdhu was previously owned by the parent company that owns Macallan and Highland Park but was sold to Ian Macleod Distillers because it just wasn't popular enough to maintain. This 10 year old is matured exclusively in sherry casks, and most or all are first fill. Bottled at 43% ABV and i believe it is chill filtered and has colorant added (although I think it's a minimal amount used to even out variations in batch color) making it a dark copper. Get comfortable, because this is going to be a long one. The nose is a full on sherry bomb. Sherried fruits, dates, raisins and figs. Plenty of vanilla and a warm nuttiness like almonds coated in brown sugar. This has a nose similar to the Macallan 12 year double cask, but warmer and it feels like it has a higher proportion of American oak to European oak. Some lighter fruits as well, chocolate oranges perhaps. Soft but elegant oak, rich dark chocolate salted caramels. There was a low level alcohol burn at first but it faded pretty fast. A little dry grass and anise/licorice root. More chocolate notes, with toffee, like a Heath bar. Really a beautiful nose. Rich buttery popcorn or warm buttercream. Man this thing just keeps evolving. Light cinnamon and mint. Ginger and herbal tea, maple syrup and the barest thread of wood smoke. Truly a superb nose. After that kind of an experience with the nose I was worried that the palate would let me down. So happy to be wrong. Rich and sweet up front. Buttery with a little spice. Ripe red fruits and sherry wine notes. Salted caramels and semi sweet chocolate. Gentle oak, just enough to let you know it's there. A touch of vegetal earthiness and peat. Earthy, mainland forest peat, not Islay peat. Just a hint of it though, nothing crazy. Medium bodied mouthfeel. Luxuriously oily and mouthwatering. The finish, unfortunately falls a bit short. Medium length and very dry. Sherry, dark berries and a little mint. About half way through it becomes a little bitter. This is a fantastic single malt. I was not expecting this level of quality. The use of first fill casks is apparent as the flavors are so full and prominent. This is a 10 year old, but I suspect there are far older casks at work here. This is so good, probably the best Speysider in it's price range that I've ever had. I would love to see this same whisky in an 18 year old release. Whiskies like this one really push me to the sherry matured side vs the bourbon matured side. When done right, like it is here, it's a thing of beauty. The finish could have been better, but it is an all around winner. This sample was provided by Lee and he bought the bottle for $80. While I would indeed pay this amount, it is available here in Michigan for $65, making it a no brainer. A solid 4.5, pretty respectable for a little 10 year old from a relatively unknown distillery. Cheers

It's time for another sample from the third round of our Scottish whisky trading team. This is the Tamdhu 10 year that was supplied by Ryan (via Me). I purchased this bottle here off the shelves in Virginia for around $80. I believe that price is on the higher side, but it was a spontaneous purchase while shopping locally. This Speysider was previously considered a major player in Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse blends until recently when it was turned into a distillery released, single malt. The U.S. export bottles are 43% ABV, instead of the U.K. standard 40%. That is a welcome difference, IMO. It's a beautiful, new penny copper in color and produces thicker, yet more watery legs in the taster. The nose opens with typical sherry notes, stewed berries and candied almonds. There's a faint bit of cedar rounding things out. It's slightly Macallan-esque on the nose and palate. That's good company to be in, if I might add. The palate starts with a thin layer of caramel, chocolate and normal sherry notes before fading into cinnamon and oak spiciness. I think this is the kick from the slightly higher ABV. It turns this from a straight dessert dram into a solid, sipping whisky. The finish is shorter than I'd like, spicy and drying as the overall oak flavors wash everything away. I did notice a wonderful chocolate flavor settle in after a few minutes. I found the finish more fulfilling as time passed. Overall, this is a quality dram. It seems good at slightly imitating Macallan 12, while being 2 years younger. The problem is that at $80 it's above Macallan's local price point. If this were $25 cheaper it would be a no-brainer as a quality replacement for Mac12. As is, it's a solid whisky and still pretty enjoyable. 3.5 stars because it isn't priced appropriately, IMO. Cheers.

$90 at LCBO 89 score

eh not great taste on back of tongue