Tamdhu 12 Year

A serving of this whisky offers aromas of orange mint chocolates, reminiscent of cherry candy canes. The palate presents red fruits and butterscotch in a typical Speyside interplay. The finish combines these elements with baking spices and a good amount of oak. There isn't much nuttiness, which would have been nice with a drier oloroso maturation and complemented the sweet-to-spice transition. However, there are no sulfur notes either, which is about all one could ask for from a 12-year-old scotch in this price range. At a lower proof, the mouthfeel is substantial, but it's not overwhelming. Essentially, I paid a price similar to a Macallan for a whisky of the same age statement but had a more enjoyable experience. The bottle design is also comparable in quality to Macallan's.

A classic sherry-aged Speyside nose. Intricate notes begin with citrus blossoms, crisp apples with honey, marmalade, oats, and Muscadine grapes, followed by vanilla taffy and caramel chews, all in perfect harmony. The palate is delightfully fruity and vibrant. Caramel melds with orchard fruits like pears, apples, Seville oranges, and Ruby grapefruit, alongside a strong pepper kick, candied cherries, and a hint of baking spices and cocoa dust. The texture is silky, though slightly thin. No visible legs, but it moves with a leisurely, uniform grace as it descends the glass after a swirl. The finish is pleasant, gentle, yet long. Slightly dry with subtle tannins suggesting carefully selected casks. Oak vanillin, Brazil nuts, cherry hard candy, a whisper of coconut, raisins, plus a pinch of nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Aroma: 10 Taste: 9 Body: 8 Finish: 9

A refined single malt Scotch from Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. They lightly smoke their barley with peat before aging it for 12 years in a mix of first-fill and refill Sherry casks. It starts with earthy tones like forest floor, dried citrus peel, red wine, walnut, and a raspberry jam pastry, plus hints of vanilla and spice. The middle brings complexity with butter, toffee, candied ginger, and fried banana with sweet spices. It finishes with a medium-length spicy conclusion of oak, blackcurrant, smoke, sherry, pepper, and mint chocolate candy.

Nose: Immediate sherry notes, but not overpowering; cinnamon, vanilla sweetness, and hints of banana on the second sip. Macallan 12 Double Cask has a stronger sherry profile; this one is tarter and oakier. Palate: Varies significantly, initially sweet then spices become more prominent. The Macallan offers more immediate spiciness and is also nuttier. Finish: Pungent, fresh spices, dark chocolate dryness. Shorter than the Macallan 12 Double Cask. With water: Becomes sweeter on the nose and finish. I favor the Macallan between these two; it has more sherry and less oak.

Aroma of oak and citrus, quite subtle, with sherry notes. The palate presents a smooth spirit, with flavors of sultanas, oak, curry, honey, and sherry. It concludes with a brief, dry finish featuring honey and caramel. Very pleasing and understated. 4.25

Nose: Orange, toasted oak, chocolate, menthol. Palate: Iced pastry, jam, oak, sweet, spice, banana. Finish: A medium-long finish with sweetness, cinnamon, a light smokiness, caramel, and milk chocolate. This is a very sweet and mildly spicy dram. It's chocolatey and milky, with abundant sweet fruit and spices. While not particularly adventurous, it's tasty and easy to drink – a session whisky.