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Tamnavulin Port Cask Edition

Writer's picture: SeanSean

Tawny Port finish - Batch No. 010668 - 40%


The word "Tamnavulin" is the Gaelic translation of ‘mill on the hill’, and the Mill on the Hill is named in-part after the former carding mill which is the where the distillery is now located. And before you scratch your head and Google the word ‘carding’, carding is another term for the combing of wool during the woollen cloth-making process.


But first, a little bit of history about the distillery...

Opening in 1966 at a time when there was a huge whisky boon and demand was far greater than the production, Tamnavulin timed things just right. It was built by Invergordon Distillers, who then handed it over to Whyte & Mackay in 1993 where they closed it down 2 years later. There it sat dormant for 5 years until they opened it up again in 2000 and briefly resumed production. But unfortunately, it was promptly mothballed again. In 2007, Whyte & Mackay was bought by the Indian company United Spirits who opened up the doors once more to kick-start production. Then 7 years later in 2014, United Spirits sell-on Whyte & Mackay to new owners, Philippines-based Emperador for £430m. To say it's been passed around to different foster parents would be an understatement.


One of the many things I really like about Tamnavulin's whisky is that even at 40%, the flavour always carries through. It's also a very new release (at the time of writing this review), and it can be found for £24 - which I can confidently say this is an absolute steal for what you get in the bottle. Having tried a number of other Tamnavulin releases, this Port Cask Edition was an easy purchase for me, as I love whiskies that have been plopped into a Port Cask.

 

This whisky was initially matured in American ex-Bourbon casks before being finished in Tawny Port casks. I don't know the duration of finishing, but would assume it wasn't for very long. But regardless, the result is that the ex-Tawny Port casks have had a very positive impact on the nose and palate of the spirit

 

Appearance: Amber with flecks of gold. Fast & thin oily legs.

 

Nose: Gentle and quite muted at first before some fruit appears out of the glass like blackberries in syrup sprinkled with crushed peppercorns and a dollop of strawberry jam. Some soft malty notes then appear before a timid, but considered waft of Tawny Port-sweetness fills the nose. The scent of port then starts to grow and blossom.

 

Palate: Spiced vanilla is first up before other flavours come into play like a drying toasted oak. It's then followed by a creamy sweetness from the Port influence that coats the mouth. Another sip to condition the mouth reveals penny toffee, cocoa powder, and a bit more dry woodiness.

 

Finish: Short-medium with a sweet coating on the tongue & roof of the mouth. There's a warming gentle pepper tingle on the tip of the tongue.

 

Conclusion: Unsurprisingly, it's a delightful and uncomplicated all-year-round flavoursome session whisky that is totally drinkable and invites you back to refill your glass. The Port influence works nicely with the Tamnavulin base-spirit and flavours are carried through in a balanced way. I can only imagine what a knockout range of whiskies we'd be faced with if Tamnavulin upp'd the ABV to something like 46%.


Nicely done by the team at Tamnavulin - again!


Widely available from shops and online retailers from around £24-£34 (at the time of writing)




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