Tamdhu 12 years

Score: 65

Tamdhu 12 Year Old is a classic Speyside single malt that proudly follows the Tamdhu house style, aged entirely in Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Jerez, Spain. Bottled at 43% ABV, it sits comfortably in the same sherried camp as The Macallan and Glenfarclas, offering a rich, fruit-forward profile with elegant structure. The nose opens with figs, fresh fruit, and yellow cake, backed by subtle red wine and sherry warmth. On the palate, it starts with a tart, puckering edge, charcoal and a whisper of peat smoke, before evolving into red berries, almond, and residual sweetness. There’s a medium-oily texture that carries through to a dry oak and wine-soaked finish, with hints of Brazil nut and mint lingering on the tongue. In the club’s tasting, Tamdhu 12 came 5th out of 6. It wasn’t a bad showing, but it didn’t quite rise to the occasion either. The sherry influence was there, but it lacked the punch or complexity to stand out against heavier hitters. A solid dram, no doubt, well-made and enjoyable, but in this lineup, it felt like the quiet kid at a noisy party. Respectable, refined, but ultimately overshadowed.