Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Emperador Inc. (Whyte & Mackay Ltd.)
Average price: € 31.00
Official website: www.tamnavulinwhisky.com
Vote: 62/100
Founded in 1966 to meet the production needs of various blenders, Tamnavulin was eventually acquired in 1993 by one of them, Whyte & Mackay (now owned by the giant Emperador Inc.).
Closed down in 1995, it resumed operations in 2007, although it continued to operate mainly to supply the blends of its parent company and with a very meagre base portfolio.
The distillery’s main bottlings are currently only two, the Sherry Cask Edition and this Double Cask (matured in ex-Bourbon casks with an ex-Sherry finish).
There’s also an exclusive bottle for Travel Retail (Tempranillo Cask Edition) and a Vintage series (exclusive only to Taiwan) with spirits dating back to 1970.
Tasting notes
On the nose there’s a hint of disinfectant, a not very pleasant undertone that lingers throughout. Banana, vanilla, caramel, honey, a hint of cinnamon, in a sweet but flat profile, lashed by an acidic and vaguely lemony whiff.
In the mouth the sherried profile prevails, soon dissolving in a rather monotonous alcoholic bath, with candied orange, cinnamon and honey popping up with little conviction. On the length, the wood tends to make itself felt with a certain intrusiveness.
The finish is short to medium, with wood and cinnamon and too much alcohol.
As they say, you get what you pay for, and this is an anonymous and entirely unremarkable bottle.
And anyway, for this price or so you can find much better.
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