
August 12, 2026

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

After yesterday's Macallans, here comes its former colleague within Highland Distillers, Tamdhu, with an official in a very limited edition, and a considerably older indie. Let’s see how this goes…

Tamdhu 2014/2025 (50.7%, OB for The Whisky Club Australia, oloroso sherry matured)

A bottling released exclusively to the distinguished members of the Whisky Club a little earlier this year. Colour: deep gold. Nose: this is very classic, with chocolate, coffee fudge, walnut liqueur, roasted hazelnuts and even a touch of peanut butter. In the background, a little curry and nutmeg. With water: the spices tend to try to come to the fore, but the nuts are putting up some resistance. Mouth (neat): a very amusing Irish coffee at first, or rather Scottish coffee, and this time, the nutmeg and ras-el-hanout strike more quickly. Very lovely spices, really, also salted butter caramel and a return of the peanut butter, with a slightly mustardy touch. With water: it is the salted butter caramel that takes control, but the nutmeg holds its ground. Finish: rather long, this is a proper spice spiel, but all done with elegance and coherence. The walnut eventually wins the argument, as was to be expected. Comments: they really do have some top bottlings in this Club of the formidable Antipodes.
SGP:571 - 87 points.

Tamdhu 34 yo 1989/2023 (54.8%, Gourmet Pool, bourbon hogshead, cask #8144, 144 bottles)

After Australia, Germany, with ex-bourbon this time, and an age that is beginning to count. Colour: pale gold. Nose: this is lively and fresh, as the colour already suggested, with whitecurrants, yellow melon, rather aromatic apples and some very lovely floral notes, lilies, jasmine… And a few very, very light touches of medicinal alcohol, which is quite incredible after 34 years. With water: broken branches, green tea, still some melon… Mouth (neat): excellent, with walnuts that might have suggested sherry, although this is bourbon, then barbecued marshmallows and bergamot and lemon liqueurs. I really like this freshness. With water: grape pips and fruit skins are now coming through, in any case the tannins are ripe, if we can indeed speak of tannins. Finish: racy, elegant length, still with that slight greenness that we always enjoy. It’s got a little vinho verde side, if you like. Comments: this liveliness, at such a venerable age, may be a little disconcerting, but it is a style I’m particularly fond of. Just imagine, there’s even some… barley.
SGP:561 - 90 points.

Check the index of all Tamdhu we've tasted