Review #231 & 232: Tamdhu 10 & Tamdhu Batch Strength #2

Tamdhu is a speyside distillery that ages its stock in exclusively Oroloso Sherry casks.  Tamdhu was mothballed from 2010-2013 until it was purchased by the Edrington Group.  Luckily they have not given Tamdhu the Highland Park marketing makeover or moved towards ever surely to NAS like they have for most of their brands.  

I loved Batch Strength #1 and didn't care for Batch Strength #3.  I do find it interesting that they call it "Batch Strength" as that is usually reserved for American whisky.  Much like Maker's Mark Cask Strength as opposed to the standard label "Batch Strength".  Enough shower thoughts, on to the juice.  


Tamdhu 10

Speyside - 10 - NCF - NCA - $60 at Binny's - 43%

Color - Burnished

Nose - Raisins, peaches, vanilla, caramel, honey

Palate - Apricots, cocoa powder, vanilla, oily

Finish - Short to Medium -  Sherried fruit, vanilla, stewed pears

Overall - 6 - This is a fine dram, in the "smooth whisky" vertical.  This is equivalent in flavor/quality to many entry level sherried drams, Macallan 12, Balvenie 12, and Aberlour 12 all come to mind.  This is more on the fruity side than spicy.  This would benefit a lot from upping it to 46%, but what 43% wouldn't?  I don't regret buying the bottle, but don't think I will be buying another, except as a gift.  I will keep my eye on this in next couple years when you get a few extra years bonus than is on the age statement.  That is one sexy fucking bottle.  In fact, it is going to be my new infinity bottle for non-peated scotches.  

Tamdhu Batch Strength #2

Speyside - NAS - NCF - NCA - $90 at Binny's, $75 at Total wine - 58.5%

Color - Russet

Nose - Apricots and dates, walnuts, vanilla pods, cherries, caramel 

Palate - Apricots, vanilla, cola,  stewed pears, big and oily - water adds cherry cola and chocolate

Finish - Medium Long -  Cherry cola, vanilla, walnuts, figs, chocolate, caramel - water strongly increases the chocolate and walnuts

Overall - 8 - This is just what I want out of a sherry bomb.  Sherried fruit, nuts and chocolate, who could ask for more?  Well, I guess you can ask for a scotch to be complex and evolving.  But that is not what a NAS sherry bomb is about, it is about bringing the sherry ruckus.  This brings the ruckus and is a big oily sherry bomb.  It also doesn't come off on the younger side.  Based on where the heat hits my tongue, I would think this is an average of 10-12 years, higher than the 7-8 I would expect.  If you love a NAS sherry bomb, pick up this bottle.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.92

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16