Review by: Raygun

A quick note before anything else for the sake of transparency. This review was done with an industry sample provided free of charge, with no expectations beyond drinking them. As always, I do my best to provide my unbiased opinion, and readers can decide how they want to take this review. For more information, see our Ethics & Transparency statement.

The Artist Series is a yearly line of high-end single casks from LMDW featuring bespoke labels by a contemporary artist. This 13th series has labels by Iris Scott. It’s a very pricey series, and hence haven’t had any before. Was fortunate enough to get a full set of samples of this year’s to be able to try them. Tamdhu was purchased in 2011 by Ian MacLeod, owners of Glengoyne and a number of IB brands. They’ve released a revamped OB line in sherry casks. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Tamdhu  

Bottler: La Maison du Whisky   

Region/style: Speyside single malt Scotch

ABV: 60.6%. Cask strength.   

Age: 16 years. Distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2023, though not released until 2024. 

Cask type: Sherry butt, 271 bottles.

Color: 1.7 burnt umber. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

Price: About $480 from what I’ve seen.

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Nose: Very intense. Has a spicy and earthy character that suggests European oak. Chocolate, dried cherries, raisins, anise, and some dried chiles.             

Palate: Wow. This is really something. Incredibly rich and fruity. Cherries, blueberries, and raspberries with dark chocolate sauce. Cumin, cinnamon, and anise. Mole sauce. Drinks extremely well even at full strength, but reaches a different level with some water. Fruity, spicy, and rich. 

Finish: The intensity continues. Mole sauce continues, with an extra helping of fruit. With a turn toward churros with chocolate. The warm spice character lingers. Rosehip tea. 

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Conclusion: I can’t say I agree with many of the notes from LM&V; “delicate” in particular is not at all the way I’d describe it. This is big from start to finish. And it’s great. I’ve enjoyed the Tamdhu I’ve had before, but this cask is on a different level. I’m very impressed. 

Buy a bottle? It’s fantastic, but $480 is ridiculous.

Score: 89

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)