I bought my bottle 15 year old 6-9 months after it was released maybe 4 years ago. I bought mine in Edinburgh at the Scotch Whisky Experience which I got vouchers for. If you want to read up what I though then you can look it up at: The Scotch Whisky Experience Edinburgh

I don’t have that bottle anymore though because I sold it to contribute to paying off a credit card at auction. I probably did this after sampling it somewhere and thinking it wasn’t worth opening. Generally, this happens when I get a Whisky-Me subscription drop which overlaps with an unopened bottle in the cabinet. Both Tamdhu and Whisky-Me share one thing for me coincidentally….

Disappointment coupled to stupid loyalty. You see I am an early adopted to Whisky-Me and I have been a fan of Tamdhu’s high quality sherry matured whisky for as long as I have been drinking whisky. While sister distillery Glengoyne is closer to me physically and easier to get Tamdhu’s thick texture and sweet orange notes are too much to resist. I am a fan of both.

The disappointment though is on value for money. Since Whisky-me ended up on Dragon’s Den the variety of samples has reduced, the prices have gone up and its become a revenue driver for selling full size bottles of limited edition bottles from independent bottlers. Also, you used to get a free pouch if you returned enough empties, also now pulled off the product. On the Tamdhu side the bottles are going up and up in price and where once you could get a 15 year old for £50 you are now needing almost double that for the same bottle. Inflation is breaking us all but that is beyond it for me. It has felt since parent company Ian McLeod Distillers got into bringing back Rosebank customers have been squeezed hard to increase revenue to fund financing and shareholders.

The Whisky

The 15 Year Old is full term matured in ex-sherry casks, bottled at 46% ABV, Non-chillfiltered and natural colour, The Sherry casks used to mature the whisky were American and European Oak Oloroso seasoned casks from the cooperages of Jerez in Spain’s ‘Sherry Triangle’.

Tasting Notes

• Nose – Apple turnovers, spiced mincemeat and orange zest with sharp pieces of pineapple.
• Palate – Juicy apricot jam and sharp citric raspberry, with more acidic lemon tart and nutty almonds.
• Finish – Significantly longer and thicker finish, you can feel the increased time increasing the wood interaction.

Final Thoughts

I must have been having a bad day or I have got more classy as I have gotten older. This 15 is really nice, well made and a more special dram than the 12 year old. Selling my bottle wasn’t my greater plan even to be honest