Whisky Review/Tasting: Tamdhu Sherry Cask 10 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Tamdhu Distillery, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation & Maturation: Matured for 10 years exclusively in sherry casks. The whisky showcases a natural color, indicating no artificial coloring is used. The maturation process involves a mix of first fill and second fill sherry casks.
Age Statement: 10 years.
Color & Bottle Design: The whisky has a notably dark color for its age, suggesting a rich sherry influence. The bottle design is inspired by the transition from the Victorian era to Art Nouveau, resulting in a unique shape that some liken to a perfume flacon.

Balance of Flavors: Dominated by sherry influence, with a progression from fruitiness to spiciness. The flavor profile is described as somewhat one-dimensional but complex, with a strong presence of sherry, fruitiness, and a subsequent spiciness.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its intense spiciness and the quick fading of bitterness, suggesting a balanced time in sherry casks. Flavors include roasted almonds, sweet cinnamon, oranges, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, cocoa, and possibly some resins.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, it's positioned as a sherry cask whisky, aiming to stand alongside other well-regarded sherry cask distilleries.

Distillery Visits: Horst Luening, the host, shares personal anecdotes from his visits to the Tamdhu Distillery in 1994 and 2005, providing insights into the traditional malting process using Saladin boxes.
Ownership and Production: The distillery's history of ownership changes, including its acquisition by Ian McLeod in 2011/2012, and the strategic decisions leading to the focus on sherry cask maturation are discussed.

Historical Context: The bottle design's inspiration from the Victorian era to Art Nouveau reflects a deep appreciation for historical aesthetics and the distillery's Scottish heritage.
Production Techniques: The transition from traditional Saladin boxes to drum maltings for barley germination is highlighted, showcasing the evolution of whisky production methods over time.

"Sherry. Lots of sherry." - Emphasizing the dominant influence of sherry casks on the whisky's flavor profile.
"It's a roller coaster in which you eat your sweet roasted almonds on a fun fair." - Describing the whisky's flavor journey.
"So it's not too long in those sherry casks." - Commenting on the balanced maturation process.

Tamdhu 10 years old is a sherry cask matured single malt Scotch whisky, notable for its unique bottle design and dark color.
The flavor profile is dominated by sherry, with a progression from fruitiness to spiciness, and includes notes of roasted almonds, sweet cinnamon, and dark chocolate.
The distillery's history, including ownership changes and production techniques, adds depth to the whisky's story.
The whisky aims to position Tamdhu as a prominent sherry cask distillery, alongside other renowned producers.

Sherry Cask Enthusiasts: Individuals who appreciate the rich, fruity, and spicy characteristics typical of sherry cask maturation.
Historical and Cultural Aficionados: Those interested in the historical and cultural aspects of whisky production, including traditional malting processes and bottle design inspirations.
Whisky Collectors: Collectors looking for whiskies with unique bottle designs and significant distillery stories.
Beginners to Intermediate Whisky Drinkers: The approachable flavor profile, despite its complexity, makes it suitable for those expanding their palate, especially in the realm of sherry cask matured whiskies.