Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Tamnavulin.
Bottler: AD Rattray for Shinanoya Tokyo.
Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.
ABV: 49.8%.
Age: 28 Years. Distilled on 3 June 1988. Bottled 19 April 2017.
Cask type: Bourbon Hogshead.
Nose: Autumn-vibes in the vapors; this was all fallen leaves and orchard fruits, piles of dry vegetation, old newspapers, brown paper bags, orange rinds, tangerine candies.
Palate: Medium-bodied and oily, old newspaper and fallen leaves, autumn again, tangerines and oranges, hints of peach and stone fruits with time; orange blossom appeared with white tea for a slightly floral turn toward the end; occasionally woody with resins and sandalwood.
Finish: Medium to long with fruit rinds, citrus, paper, and woody resins.
Mental Image: Spring Tea and Autumn Headlines.
Conclusion: My first review of a Tamnavulin! This was a cracking introduction to the distillery and not at all the dram I intended as my first one— I picked up a sample of a similar mature example while at Cadenhead’s in Campbeltown with the intention of using it as my first, or, you know, actually opening the Tamnvaulin I won at auction a few years back. Yet, here we are and I doubt I could have arranged a better first impression. This had far more than just the boring old orchard fruits I expected. The autumn and old newspaper notes were a real delight, giving the whisky a bit of dirtiness and mustiness that contrasted nicely with the sweeter citrus. Hints of floral notes, mostly along the lines of a white tea, provided additional complexity near the end as the whisky continued to evolve. Overall, a great introduction— I hope the others I had set aside can live up to this.
Final Score: 85.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 