Tamdhu 12 Year Old: A Smooth and Spicy Affordably-Priced Single Malt Whisky
Tamdhu 12 years is the entry-level product of the famed (homonymous) Speyside distillery, and it defends itself admirably. It is a styled Tamdhu single malt, robust, woody, highly pulpy, and full of ripe allusions and nutty overtones. Inside the bottle is a gentle and sumptuous whiskey, marked by the wood in a hefty but pleasant style, rather than a pure and hard, or herbaceous distillate. Let’s not forget that it’s one of the cheapest Scotches among 12-year-olds, since it rarely costs more than 48-49 euros. You can’t be picky when it comes to price.
How it is made
Classic style, nothing fancy: starting with malted barley without peat, therefore no torch aromas, Viking funeral pyre smoke, or other strange smoky scents. Once the distillate is ready, it is kept for 12 years in ex-sherry casks to round out the fruit and add great medicinal and dried fruit flavors in the style of Marsala. The Tamdhu 10-year period is no longer in effect; it has been replaced by this “new 12-year period.”
Organoleptic characteristics
Dark, deep, and seductive amber color.
The scent is classic, noble, and very spicy, with nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa, and mint that start off quite strong, almost stinging your nose, before opening up to fruitiness with baked apples in vanilla broth, plum cake, and blueberries in alcohol. The sherry worked wonderfully; the oloroso casks imparted a tremendous creaminess, not just spice, but also a beautiful syrupiness. The fruit is extremely rich and enticing, dripping honey and possessing a luxurious and opulent tone. The hazelnut tones are melancholy and lend a charming touch.
On the palate, it is warm, enveloping, and full of marmalade characteristics, with flavors of pepper, licorice, alpine herbs, and a candied orange finish. In terms of aromatic depth, it is overall subtle. It’s well-balanced, but not overly intricate or profound.
The raw material is excellent, and the malt shines with pride. The structure is broad but not harsh; it is not an alcoholic or heavy whisky; rather, it tries for a decent balance of warmth, mature tones, and alcohol. Tannic finish with felt wood and nuts.
Simple, yet effective.
Price
48-50 euros: an amazing price for a precise, smooth, and never boring single malt whiskey.
Food pairings
Everything chocolate-based, from cheesecakes to Caprese cake. It’s delicious with trifle, chocolate, salmon terrine, brisket and pulled pork, chocolate salami, and apple pie.