Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 004

Two sherry casks in two nights. Trying to knock a couple of extra drams out in the last few days before my daughter arrives and long contemplative drams get shelved for a while (perhaps?!). N: Dense, dark, and quite broody. Dark treacle or camp fire toffee is mingled with rich spices like cardamon, pepper, cinnamon and perhaps a touch of brighter anise? That spice is layered with dark woody vanillin, tannic oak, and the suggestion of a dark fruit bouquet. This is a smouldering and richly inviting nose but I suspect its also cautionary to whats about to be unleashed… P: Oomph, that is a Chinese New Year Firework. An almost sherbet like pepper flash sets things off with a blaze. Subsequent sips are less assaulting and more ginger like with juicy sultanas, raisins, plums and figgy depths to discover. Orange zest, a hint of mocha and a clean crisp texture that has just the right balance of oak tannin and softening toffee notes to keep everything even and well tempered throughout. My word though, that peppery opening, phwoar. F: Medium. Dark fruit chocolate, a hint of espresso bitterness, and some juicier stewed fruits. Perhaps something nutty, maybe almond. The pepper and the brooding nose suggested that this could take a splash of water. And that it can, the peppery tempest is calmed and there are new elements to be had. A gentler nose with brighter almost tropical zestyness and a brighter aspect to the oak. The palate finds apricot and grilled pineapple, fresh oranges and fresh wood shavings, maybe even demerara sugar. The finish changes little but there is a bit of a coppery presence maybe. Wow, that was unexpected. That really took me deep. This is a heavy weight whisky for sure, that batch strength is not mucking about. But for the depths of the initial nose and the ferocity of the initial taste, this ended up feeling refined and satisfying. Probably not something i would reach for to unwind with, but definitely one for blasting Verdi - Requiem, Dies irea to and considering world domination. Thank you @cascode the depths of your whisky cabinet are a treasure to us all (but mostly me it seems, thanks Sir!). Distiller whisky taste #273 [Pictured here with a piece of the Kambalda Komatiite from Mount Hunt in Western Australia. Komatiite is a highly magnesium-rich rock formed during near complete melting of the mantle and subsequent eruption as a volcanic lava. This rock could only form until around 2.5 billion years ago when the temperature of the mantle was 100-250 C hotter. These rocks are ubiquitous for their green colour and spinifex textures of large needle like dendrite plates of olivine and pyroxene]

Smooth, intense, sweet notes and very well balanced.

The color looks a little lighter than batch 3. Strong sherry nose. Butterscotch, Almond Roca, dark fruit, vanilla, chocolate, orange peel on the palate. Judging by the color, I was expecting this to have less sherry influence than batch 3. Side-by-side, it may have slightly less sherry, but it's not that different. Batch 3 seems a little hotter. I wasn't wanting water on Batch 4, but it seemed that 3 was better with a little water. Batch 3 is a little more caramel raisin, while batch 4 is a little more chocolate raisin. I’m not sure I can pick out a winner, as they’re both great, and I’m giving the same score to this one. Big thanks again to @ContemplativeFox for the sample!

The nose is dense and rich starting with a mix of canned peaches in syrup, candied lemon peel and roasted pistachios then oatmeal cookies with dark chocolate chips followed by powdered sugar covered diced strawberries, dehydrated figs and cherries jubilee that transitions to cardamom, anise, and fresh roasted espresso beans with high ethanol burn. The taste is a rich oily mouthfeel starting with a moderate bitter and sour spice that slowly fades to brown sugar caramelized peaches with a squeeze of lemon on top and vanilla gelato then dark chocolate covered roasted pistachios followed by sour apples, sour cherries, and orange peel that transitions to cardamom, anise, and fresh roasted espresso beans with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with candied lemon peel, sour apple, dark chocolate covered espresso beans, ginger, cardamom, anise and light ash. This is a flavor bomb that the notes are big and bold with moderately soured fruits, dark chocolate and some peppery spices. The nose really surprises you with how rich and dense it is with a great balance that draws you in for a taste that falters slightly with a bitter start before those slightly soured rich flavors come in with a good balance before the finish of fruits, coffee and mild spices. At a price of around $100, I think this is an incredible value in today's market. Thanks so much @ContemplativeFox for the sample, as this was a real treat.

One of my favorites so far.

In the recent years Tamdhu has become a sherried power in Scotland. Their malts have won some prizes and they are positioning themselves as a luxury brand. I loved their expressions and they have nailed this "Batch Strength" releases. Now its time to rate their fourth one, bottled at 57.8%abv, tawny color. On the nose, this one is remarkable. Burnt caramel, Lemon, Glazed pork, peaches. Earth and Marzipan. Christmas cake and Thick vanilla. On the palate, it is definitively a luxury whisky. Cinammon, salt, dulce de leche and a fancy toffee. Aftertaste follows the same path, with a very well crafted caramel note; there is this sensation of having tasted a toffee liquor with cinnamon and Salt crackers. Overall, this single malt has the Tamdhu spirit all over the place. Their DNA is present and you can perceive this as a 12yo expression in steroids. A very nice dram, my score for it is 92 over 100.

A- amber +2, high viscosity N- toffee, vanilla, raisins, dark sherry, honey, burned sugar, tobacco, cotton candy P- spicy arrival, full, rich, tobacco ashes(interesting first time I'm getting this on a dram), toffee, vanilla, honey, raisins, plums, apricots, chocolate, walnuts , rum cake, oak F- long pleasant finish, sweet-nutty aftertaste C- what a pleasant surprise, heard good things about this dram and decided to give it a try, oh boy so glad I did it another sherry BOMB!!!! I love my adbunah but this is another great option that you should try