When you think of Scotland, what comes to mind? Before I lived there, I thought it was a country of blue and white painted faces, haggis, kilts and whisky. A land of “ooooaye git-oot.” Beyond that I didn’t know too much about the country. I think that goes for most of the world. When I told people I had spent a year living in Scotland they responded with, “oh cool. So, uh, why Scotland then? What’s that place all about?”
Believe it or not, but there was a time when Scotland was one of the most important countries in the world, and it wasn’t just for their jolly nectar of malt. As the great 18th century philosopher, Voltaire, put it; “We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilization.” Scotland was THE pioneering and driving force for industry. In Scotland bicycles were invented, steam engines perfected, economics was born and there were studies into a crude form of psychology.
All of this is significant for tonight’s dram. The Tamdhu 10yr has really enforced to me that there is always more than meets the eye. The amber tipple in my glass comes from a distillery that was at the forefront of technology and innovation. Hence the name, ‘the Spirit of Enlightenment’. When the distillery first opened in 1897, the owners sort not only to make whisky, but to perfect the way whisky was made. Not just with heart, but with efficiency. And, I think they came pretty darn close.
The colour of the whisky is the normal amber colour, but the legs running down the side are super duper slow. Straight away, I am thinking that this will be a very thick and sticky whisky.
On the nose at first sniff there is that typical Speyside mellow vanilla and honey. Underneath I’m getting some dried fruit, like sultanas and just a hint, a whiff, of some spices. Second sniff, I pick up some salt and brine, which surprises me as I normally associate that with coastal distilleries like Oban, and Tamdhu is a fair way in from the North Sea.
On the tongue that mellow creaminess carries through very nicely. There is a certain dry sweetness that has me checking the bottle. Oh yes, there it is. In very small print, ‘matured in sherry casks.’ Normally that is emblazoned across the label so you cannot miss it. Just goes to show that this is one distillery that likes to defy convention. A drop of water cancels out the honey and really heats up that dryness. I’m experiencing an almost tannic mouthfeel as I swish it around.
I normally don’t reach for a Speyside as I like to be roundhouse kicked in the face by an Islay, but this one is complex and I’m digging it.
An interesting one too, as instead of having layers of flavour, there is a broad spectrum of different notes that hit the palate all at once.
The finish is spicy and warming. After you swallow and then exhale, there is the faintest note of pepper that is still there, almost like Uncle Jeff who is still on the dance floor after everyone else has departed. Barely present or strong, but still entertaining.
I paired this malt with an Illusione R Rothchild, a small smoke with a strong earthy character, which matched the mellow sweetness of the whisky very nicely.
To sum up:
Nose: creamy vanilla and honey. Very mellow, causing no nostril offense
Taste: a 3 course meal all at once. Sweet honey, spicy, with some citrus and also a touch of dry-sweetness
Mouthfeel: very thick. I love whiskies where the smallest sip feels like you have a mouth full, and this was one of them
Finish: very warming, a great winter malt this one I think. You can feel the warmth all the way down to your toes
Accompanying tracks: in light of their recent troubles, I dedicate this tasting to the Blink-182 that was
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