Young Tamdhu in wine vs old Tamdhu al natural


February 23, 2026

Young Tamdhu in wine vs old Tamdhu al natural

You’re going to tell me the fight will be very one-sided, but that’s not so certain… And besides, isn’t the important thing simply to take part? (Tamdhu)

Tamdhu 9 yo 2015/2025 (50%, The Cooper’s Choice, Golden Cut Collection, Marsala finish, cask #044, 396 bottles)

The fact is that we know Marsala can work just as well as sherry, it is simply a matter of knowing which type of Marsala was involved. Colour: deep gold. Nose: oh lovely! Mirabelles and apricots, both tinned and in jam form, coated in caramel and honey and followed by a few very juicy sultanas. With water: finger biscuits and little sponge cakes filled with orange and mandarin jam (Marsala, Sicily, get it?) Mouth (neat): very good, on walnut cake and bitter orange, preserved lemon, earthy vegetal notes… With water: we could almost believe we are in Marsala, right at the far western tip of the southern coast. A wonderful place, I warmly recommend it. Finish: long, fresh, with a slightly tangy edge that perfectly balances the whole. Comments: excellent and therefore perfectly balanced, at this age and with this treatment.
SGP:551 - 86 points.

Tamdhu 10 yo 2013/2024 (57.9%, Infrequent Flyers, Pedro Ximenez puncheon finish, cask #800069, 698 bottles)

I was about to begin by saying that PX is more traditional than Marsala, but in truth, not that much. And it may not be entirely easy after the very fine Cooper’s Choice. Colour: ripe apricot. Nose: fudge, soft molasses, pancake syrup, chestnut cream, honey. Nothing to add. With water: well yes, stewed figs and fig jam. Mouth (neat): more or less at the same level as the 2015, simply more peppery and even slightly spicy, with additional tension provided by lemon and Seville orange. With water: it rather loves water, which brings out small herbs, herbal teas, and even a few oven-roasted vegetables in a gentle sauce. Courgettes, for example. And while we are at it, syrup of courgette flowers and elderflower. I assure you. Finish: long, a little more earthy and on notes of leather, therefore less sweet and syrupy. Comments: I am afraid it is impossible to choose between the Sicilian and the Andalusian. Both kind of reconcile me with finishes.
SGP:551 - 86 points.

Tamdhu-Glenlivet 13 yo 1981/1995 (59.9%, Cadenhead, Authentic Collection)

In what type of cask was this baby matured? That’s right, ‘an Oak Cask’, as stated on the label. That mention has already made several generations of Scottish malt enthusiasts chuckle, it must be said. Colour: amber. Nose: this time there is flint and sulphur from the outset, brake pads (after a few laps of the Nürburgring, as we used to say in those days), cooked aubergine and artichoke… In short, it is not easy, even if there are also some very pretty notes of tobacco. Wafts of fig leaf, not entirely easy either. With water: rice pudding, shortbread, maple syrup, Barbour grease and ski wax. As the Olympic Games are drawing to a close… Mouth (neat): much fruitier, still a little dirty but the sulphur has vanished, while candied oranges and peppery marmalades now reign supreme over this blessed little beast. Touches of salmiak. With water: dried and candied fruits come charging in, first dates and figs, I was about to say as usual. Then all manner of raisins, though never excessively sweet. Finish: rather long but perhaps very slightly dusty, even faintly cardboardy. Comments: perhaps not one of the stars of this magical series, but it was nonetheless very, very beautiful.
SGP:462 - 85 points.

Tamdhu 20 yo 1981/2002 (56.2%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #8.32)

Colour: mahogany/chestnut. Nose: incredible, it smells exactly like its colour, chestnut purée and precious wood freshly sawn by a talented cabinetmaker. Then toffee, hot chocolate and café latte. Very, very beautiful. With water: a slight touch of sulphur this time again (Brussels sprouts, aubergine) but absolutely nothing troublesome, quite the contrary. We find ourselves somewhat in the territory of old Mortlach, or indeed, since it just comes to mind, Pittyvaich. Who remembers Pittyvaich? Mouth (neat): superb, on dark chocolate and orange marmalade, then crushed pepper and brown tobacco. Also chestnut honey. Magnificent. With water: the honey takes the upper hand, and it is superb. Finish: long, drier, slightly mentholated, still on dark honey and high-quality black tea. No milk in this tea! Also a little propolis, some resin… Comments: in the end, and despite the magnificent honeyed notes, the whole remains rather dry. A very fine bottle in any case.
SGP:461 - 90 points.

(Thank you as ever, KC)

Check the index of all Tamdhu we've tasted