Tamdhu Batch Strength (Batch 3) Whisky 70cl

Had this open since its Christmas day arrival....and taken my sweet time to get to a review. Yes, it packs a punch, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 58% ABV. Hints of cedar, lavender (barely a touch - thank god) port and oak in the nose, but the nose is not the best thing. Lots of spice and gentle oak in the palate, with nice orange notes - more like marmalade to me. The barley and heather work together nicely, and the nutty spice is not too peppery, or cinnamon-y (like a Highland Park might be - which I adore) but sits in the mix like a gentle mulled wine. Not too oily, not too thin - just right for mouthfeel for a cask strength. Sweet and lingering finish, with some mint and cocoa notes, but the sherry cask gets the last word. No raisiny or grapey elements, but still a dry sherry finish. Very nice break from the saline/peat/pine/smoke Islay scotches I enjoy, but complex enough to keep you sipping and talking all night. Worth it at $122 CDN? I like it enough to call that a subjective question.

I'm not a fan of the late burn but I have to say this stuff is smooth. Pop it open and you are hit with dark fruit aromas, sweet and robust. On the palate I get dark fruits, come cherry dark chocolate and spicy hints of nutmeg. There is a subtle bite on the tongue and upper palate similar to an A'Bunadh but it just adds to a great experience. Best of all there is not burn on the way down. Brilliant!

I've been on the smoke and peat binge lately with the likes of Laphroiag Lore, Lagavulin Distillers Edition etc. and decided on buying a bottle of this. Was a bit concerned about the high ABV as I am not a fan of the late burn. Anyway, I popped open the bottle to let it breathe a bit and was lambasted with a plethora of floral aromas. The sherry pops...so sweet and pure...wow!! Think of a fine Port and make it into a single malt, this is as close as I can describe it. On the palate I get dark fruit, Port and a little bit of chocolate. More importantly this is unbelievably smooth (no water added), there is a little tingling with some spice (think A'Bunadh) but it only adds to the experience. Best of all no burn on the way down. Brilliant stuff!

Tried this undiluted. Dark colour and dark powers. You can feel what's coming on the nose but nothing prepares you when you're steamrollered by the Cask Strength 58% ABV. And before you can recover, Sherry and dark fruits and spices. Cadbury's Chocolate Orange. Complexity. But ever-present, knockout power. Amazing intro to Cask Strength Sherry Cask and a fantastic price.

Usually for me, nose is king. The palate's job is try keep us with the nose, and this is usually where a lot of whiskies fall down. When the palate DOES live up a great nose, you've usually got a serious contender on your hands. This is a rare exception to the rule, since the nose is beautiful, but the palate on this knocks you for six, with a world of flavour and complexity. Very well priced for a cask strength.

Really smooth for 58%
Nose: caramel, Orange, dark chocolate
It's one of my favourite.

Smooth for a cask strength, tasting notes are pot on, definitely chocolate on the finish.