Tamdhu, a fairly new distillery as these things go, was built in 1897 solely as a blending whisky. However, with the renewed interest in Single Malts a distillery bottling of a 10 and 18 year old were released a few years ago and continue to be available to date. However, most of Tamdhu's output is still used in Famous Grouse, J&B and Cutty Sark blends.
If ever there was a single malt for the novice single malt scotch drinker this has to be it. Over ice or with a bit of water this is a very smooth flavorful dram. Of course, drunk neat even more of the flavors come out with only a slight decrease in the smoothness.
Tamdhu is a light honey color in the bottle and even lighter in the glass. The picture above is darker then the one in my hand. Nosing is a cereal-malt-fruit mix that is most enjoyable. This comes from the 5 years spent in old bourbon casks before being transfered to sherry casks for the next 5 years. Tasting is full of fruits, baked apple, faint tangerine, perhaps some apricot and malt. It is almost chewey with flavors. The finish is really long for a somewhat young scotch with the tangerine notes slowly fading to a oakiness.
While not terribly complex, this is a very enjoyable drink that could be a regular pour for a number of people. I like it
Edited by AVB, 16 December 2009 - 04:33 PM.
