Tamdhu 11 Year Old 2002 Malts of Scotland

This Tamdhu got a wonderful color from the sherry cask. The distillery was revived several years ago by Ian McLeod, but this is a distillate from the previous owners, the Edrington Group, because it was distilled in 2002. Tamdhu is Gaelic for black hill, by the way. This is not the first Tamdhu bottled by Malts of Scotland, but it is one of the youngest.

The nose immediately reveals the influence of an active sherry cask: raisins and fresh figs. Some celery salt and salty liquorice counter the sweetness. Something that reminds me of shoe shine (sounds bad, smells great). After a few moments, some baked apples with dark brown sugar emerge. In the distance some rubber shows up, but far from disturbing. Off to a good start.

It is wonderfully creamy on the palate, feisty on cloves, ginger, aniseed and chili pepper, but also very sweet from the start. The fruit is more candied now. The salty edge becomes quite minimal, but some broth does remains. Tannins make it slightly bitter, but it remains nicely balanced.

The finish is quite long and starts off sweet, but at the death the saltiness rears its head once more. Nice!

I think this must have been a first fill oloroso sherry cask, for the influence is quite palpable on this young Tamdhu. It is a beauty that can be yours for 55 EUR.

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