By Jay Steinmetz
As a single malt scotch guy, I’ve had a plethora of different whiskies over the years, but I lean towards the Speyside or Highland distilleries of Scotland.
I stumbled across the Speyside distilled Tamdhu (pronounced: tam-doo – rhyming with zoo or too) line of scotch a year ago and fell in love with it! Tamdhu bottles approximately 12 varieties, ranging from their 12- year-old Sherry Cask (about $68) to their 21-Year-Old Double Sherry Cask (about $400). In their mid-range, one finds Batch Strength Single Malt Sherry Cask (about $100) that I fell in love with!
This potable, bottled at 55.8% (111.6 proof), numbs the inside of your mouth and opens your senses like the wind of a spring breeze. That makes it a sipping whisky — not a shooter.
Nose: An obvious initial plume of strong booze is followed by classic sherry notes of dark fruits. More subtle flavors poke through, including vanilla, apple, pear and smooth buttery toffee underneath, but the cinnamon spice is champion.
Taste: Whopping strength, great sherry notes and rich, dark fruit flavors come through. A sharp palate detects raisins, orange peel, figs and a slight bitter and almost herby note that brings rich chocolate and cola to mind.
Finish: The tongue, tastebuds and tonsils all get a workout as the alcohol, oak and sherry spices all tingle away with a real zip.
Verdict: It’s Tamdhu through and through. Being batch release they don’t have to hold to a single tasting profile, but the core message is consistent: We do Sherry-forward whisky, and you’re going to bloody well enjoy it!
CAVEAT: Because of the finishing in sherry casks, this Scotch is not hechshered. As such, some rabbis will not allow it in shul. Others allow if for a l’chaim, but not for making Kiddush. Check if bringing to shul.
When you have the time and wallet to enjoy one the most enjoyable whiskies, and a favorite of mine, open a bottle of the Tamdhu Batch Strength… sit back and savor the flavor and experience! Best if sipped neat out of a Glencairn Nosing Glass. Swirl, sniff and swish. L’Chaim!
Jay Steinmetz, of East Meadow Jewish Center in the New York Metro Region, is convention chair for the 2027 International Convention in San Francisco.
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