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| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
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June 23, 2026 |
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WF's Little Duos, today
Tamnavulin without wine |
Hooray, Tamnavulin neat at last! Let’s see what it’s like… (Sherry isn't wine, is it?) |
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Tamnavulin 10 yo 2015/2026 (55.4%, Lady of the Glen, hogshead, cask #301041, 290 bottles) 
Yes indeed, no improbable wine cask looming on the horizon this time. Colour: gold. Nose: barley and grapefruit, with kumquats in tow, the whole thing disarmingly simple yet absolutely spot-on. With water: orange loaf cake, with touches of angelica and freshly crushed coriander leaf. Mouth (neat): excellent, with a peppery edge (green and pink peppercorns) though equally driven by bitter citrus fruits, combining a pleasing oiliness with fine tension. With water: very little change, though frankly none was required. Finish: medium in length, gently peppery and still running on grapefruit. Comments: I would not claim there is an immense personality here, yet the whole composition hangs together remarkably well and never puts a foot wrong.
SGP:551 - 84 points. |
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Tamnavulin 34 yo 1991/2026 (48.7%, WhiskyLand, 1st fill sherry hogshead, 208 bottles) 
You will have noticed that this one is considerably older. Colour: full gold. Nose: absolute and incontestable proof that the first ingredient in malt whisky is time. A lovely assortment of slightly worn waxes (old beeswax), mature chardonnay, buttercream, 1950s Grand Marnier (yep) and... Paris ham, as they call it. In other words, a marvellous sandwich. Mouth: could we have confirmation that this is indeed Tamnavulin and not some first-rate coastal distillery? That said, there is a slight flaw in my view, this peppery side being just a touch too assertive. Everything else more than makes up for it though, blood oranges, pine sap, walnut husk and lightly peppered shellfish (periwinkles). In short, this one has plenty to say for itself. Finish: long, becoming more bitter, with leafy notes and resins before bitter oranges softened by a spoonful of honey. Comments: we did try it with a little water, and it works well enough, but it can lose some of its sparkle around 43%. Forget the water. Other than that, this is excellent.
SGP:461 - 89 points. |
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