Tamdhu 21 years old compared with NAS editions
Tamdhu has gained a lot of loyal followers since Ian Macleod Distillers took over the distillery from The Edrington Group in 2011. Before, it was a workhorse distillery producing malt for the blends from the Edrington stable, most famously The Famous Grouse. With other big names in the portfolio, among them Highland Park and The Macallan, it was no surprise that Tamdhu was somewhat of an ugly duckling in the ranks. That certainly changed. Were official releases not really noteworthy before, now Tamdhu appeared in a spectacular looking bottle. It was a very sensible step to design packaging that would showcase that piece of glass art. But most of all, Tamdhu started making waves with excellent quality sherried whisky. They appeared on my radar first when the 15 years old was released. A lot of very interesting releases would follow, displaying that good sherry whisky is still very much available, where other brands dwindled their stocks. A highlight for me was visiting the distillery in 2019, where I first tasted the Dalbeallie release. This yearly expression at high abv is a standout amongst others. Edition 09 is coming out soon. Of course, when your pockets are deep enough, there is an abundance of more exclusive bottles. My worry at this time, is that Tamdhu prices itself out of reach of the more common enthusiast. For contrast therefor, I tasted the 21 years old today, which is brand new, and added a few NAS releases that were more friendly priced, to see if there is a big quality difference between the categories.
The Tamdhu 21 years old was tasted in a singular session, the remaining samples in one go.
Tamdhu 21 years old, bottled at 47,5 % abv
First things first: This Tamdhu matured in American and European oak casks that contained sherry. We have seen a steady progression, from the Tamdhu 15 to the Tamdhu 18, and now we are here. Bottled in 2025.
Upon Sipping: Opening quite friendly and blasé, but given time we discover subtleties everywhere. Ranging from oranges and raisins to mulled wine and clove. Hints of vinegar in the distance. Some furniture polish, as was to be expected, but not so in your face as it can be. Delicate royalty. Taking a sip, I feel very, very spoiled by the richness on the tongue. Cream caramel, maple syrup, rum soaked raisins, a slightly leathery mouthfeel eventually. The finish is quite raw and shows some more pure cacao powder. Very balanced, and despite the chocolatey influences this is not in the slightest hindered by too much wood influence. Water will even make this Tamdhu 21 more fruity on the palate, now leaning towards apricot and red apples.
Word to the Wise: This kind of sheer quality you only find in the renowned names; Glendronach, Glenfarclas, Glenrothes, The Macallan on a good day. Tamdhu stands proud among them, and the 21 years old is no exception. An excellent and subtle sherried beast.
Score: 90 points.
Tamdhu Cuatro Reserva, bottled at 41,2 % abv
First things first: A travel retail exclusive made up from European and American oak casks. Bottled in 2024 at a fairly weird abv.
Upon Sipping: Despite my reservations about the abv, the nose is very nice and classical Speyside sherry in style. We can live with this! Lots of chocolate, tree bark, raisins and just plain oak. Some fudge in the background. The taste continues on the promise of the nose, with milk chocolate and sweetness from red fruit. Then the wood notes kick in. Not unlike its neighbour Macallan, whose crown Tamdhu has firmly taken when it comes to sherried whisky, but this is perhaps a tad too simple. Good enough for travellers, I hear you say? Could well be. It is decent, it delivers aroma and taste and a long finish. Just not much extra.
Word to the Wise: Almost unforgivably middle of the road Speyside whisky. Just nice, an everyday sipper.
Score: 80 points.
Tamdhu Distinction, bottled at 48 % abv
First things first: Quercus Alba Limited Release 01, this is a Tamdhu that matured in American oak oloroso sherry casks. It was bottled on 1 October 2021. This is American white oak.
Upon Sipping: This seems a bit more subtle than the Cuatro Reserva, which exploded from the glass. The white oak is very noticeable, more spices and sour fruits, like white grapes, lemons, but after a while also more softer examples, some peaches and yellow apples. Quite versatile! A rather sweet arrival on the tongue, with now the classic impact of the oloroso, with a leathery dry character and some modest red fruits. This a distinctly more complex than the predecessor, even though it keeps on colouring between the lines. The sweetness increases with every sip, and starts including some nuttiness. Very modern sherry maturation. The finish is quite short, that is maybe some fault I find in this bottling, but that is about it.
Word to the Wise: Another everyday sipper from Tamdhu, but this one offers enough complexity to elevate itself. Good display of the maturation type and the wood.
Score: 84 points.
Tamdhu Batch Strength, bottled at 58,5 % abv
First things first: Batch 002 of the cask strength releases by Tamdhu. Generally described as malt whisky matured in sherry casks.
Upon Sipping: It gets deeper and deeper, after the previous two, with a more pronounced sherried character. More balanced compared to the Tamdhu Distinction, but the biggest difference is on the palate, where the sherry notes are rich and dry. Lots of leather, some nuttiness but with a drop of water we get more fruit. Soft apricot, peaches, sweet tasting strawberries, dipping in cream on top of a pie. This is the good stuff. Extremely drinkable at this high strength, but with water it becomes velvety. The finish is very long and deep, and raises the question of the age of this stuff. I am guessing that despite the lack of age statement, this is still close to 10 years old.
Word to the Wise: These bottlings came out alongside giants like the Tamdhu 15 years old, which had enormous impact on the public opinion of this always rather forgotten Speyside distillery. These batch strength expressions held their own amongst the age stated variants. Luscious stuff!
Score: 87 points.