Another one from a long gone bottle share. I am quite a fan of Tamdhu single casks, Not had many to date, but those I did try were lovely. This time we’re talking BIG sherry with this Sherry Butt, #8119 distilled in 1990 and bottled 2011, at just under 50%. The color was a hint this is going to be a ride in a sherry roller coaster… the nose and palate did not disappoint.
Tamdhu 1990-2011, Malts of Scotland, 49.8%, Sherry Butt #8119
Nose: Big flinty sherry for starters- dark chocolate filled with sultana soaked in rum. Sweet and lovely with crushed pepper and spice. Dark and powerful and mega sherried , some rubber and meaty notes too. In your face, sort of sherry, and I quite enjoyed it, for a change.
Palate: Big and sweet with lots of dried fruit: fig , sultana and plum. Dark sugar and some rubber. There’s plenty of sulfur , pepper and spice. Lots of chocolate too. Further inspection reveals hints of Rum and Some smoke- in short : Big bold flinty sweet sherry.
Finish: Semi sweet chocolate. Sherry. Smoke. Dry. Sweet.
Conclusion:
This is a big bold whisky, for those who appreciate monstrous sherry, and are not afraid of some sulfur. The Tamdhu backbone works fine with this sort of active sherry cask, and it’s really something you can enjoy as a desert dram, and I suspect it would work best with some chocolate truffles or soufflé on the side. Good choice, Sjoerd.