Tamdhu OB versus IB


November 22, 2023

WF's Little Duos, today Tamdhu OB vs. IB

Classic set-up, let us proceed…

Tamdhu 'Quercus Alba Distinction Batch 2' (48%, OB, American oak oloroso sherry, 2022)

Oh crikey, we're late again, looks like batch 3 is already out. By the way, let's not be mistaken, the vast majority of sherry casks have always been made of American oak. It's European oak that's the exception, by far. Colour: straw. Nose: a lot of butter cream, nougat, popcorn, cappuccino, croissants, scones, shortbread, muffins… I'm sure you get the idea. Mouth: same. Drops of applejack or calvados, plus cakes, brioches, biscuits, butter cream, custard, praline, nougat, mocha, sweet beers, golden syrup, tarte tatin… It's almost too easy, in a way. Finish: same. Good length, with, yet again, drops of young calvados. Crème brûlée in the aftertaste, with a few drops of coffee liqueur and some caramel and fudge. Comments: technically just perfect but we're reminded of Disraeli once again, 'I prefer bad ones, one gets so bored with good ones' (very loose quote).
SGP:541 - 84 points.

Tamdhu 2013/2022 (65.4%, Or Sileis, bourbon hogshead, cask #355, 301 bottles)

Did you see the alcohol content? No wonder our friends in Taiwan put a samurai in armour on the label. Okay, a cat-samurai; I have to show it to our cats at WF Towers, they will love it. Colour: almost white as water. Nose: eau-de-vie de barley, mirabelles, plums, juicy ripe pears. But no chances taken with our nose... With water: sweet beers, malt, focaccia, almond paste, gingerbread with butter… Mouth (neat): great, just very hot. Cumin? Black Tea? Fudge? Pear pie? With water: great fun. Some discreet, unexpected medicinal sides, a little café latte (remember, café latte = coffee + $5) then roasted nuts and just cornflakes, Golden Grahams, Fruit Loops and all that. Of and tarte tatin. Finish: rather long, extremely cakey and fudgey. Honey and preserved peaches in the aftertaste. Comments: spectacular drop, insanely good despite the young age, with perfect cask technology embedded, It's just missing a warning on the label: add water!
SGP:641 - 87 points.

Check the index of all Tamdhu we've tasted so far