I snuck in one of Dràm Mòr’s Spring Releases in this earlier post, but now it’s finally time to review four other whiskies from the same outturn, including an Aberfeldy 2015, Benrinnes 2013, Tomintoul 2010 and Tamdhu 2016.
It’s not the most timely post, which I’ve been guilty of before. So much whisky to review, so little time! The Summer Release from Dràm Mòr just hit the shelves, and I’m still stuck in the past. Then again, many of these spring whiskies are still available, so I suppose my reviews aren’t without value. (Assuming you trust that I know what I’m talking about, which I’m not always even sure I do.)
As is often the case with whiskies from Dràm Mòr, all of the ones I’m reviewing today have been finished. The Aberfeldy spent most of its years in a second-refill bourbon cask, but was finished in a first-fill bourbon cask from Buffalo Trace for 9 months. According to founder Kenny Macdonald it needed this “little lift.”
Then there’s the Benrinnes, which spent an additional maturation period in a refill Palo Cortado sherry cask. Finally, the Tomintoul and Tamdhu were finished in first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks. However, it seems the Tomintoul finish was much shorter than the Tamdhu one.
Aberfeldy ‘Pitilie’ 2015 9 Years (54.8%, Dràm Mòr, C#247)
Nose: Hints of fresh butter, but mostly just a creamy vanilla attack. Toffee, custard, meringues, yellow cake. It’s all there. Also whiffs of honey and peach, but then some touches of pepper, nutmeg and cloves.
Taste: Very creamy. Caramel, butterscotch and vanilla notes, but slightly fruitier than I expected. Lots of (candied) banana – maybe even some citrus-y elements. Also powdered sugar and a pinch of white pepper.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of marshmallow, candy floss and dried grass.
Benrinnes 2013 10 Years (54.3%, Dràm Mòr, C#9006063)
Nose: First impression is of caramel-glazed apples, plenty of toffee and just a tinge of ripe berries. There’s a whisper of miso paste too, as well hazelnuts, orange zest and a sniff of tobacco.
Taste: Proper creamy mouthfeel. Notes of caramel, sweet pastry and fudge are prominent, but also bitter orange peel, some gentle spices and a whisper of strawberries. Finally a sliver of char and some fruity hops.
Finish: Medium length. Soft spices and gentle fruits.
Tomintoul 2010 13 Years (56.1%, Dràm Mòr, C#900142)
Nose: Hints of dried fruits, such as sultanas and figs. Then some herbacious notes too (eucalyptus), and a tinge of leather accompanied by furniture polish and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Also a sliver of sandalwood.
Taste: A good amount of nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. It’s quite nutty at times, but there’s also sweetness lingering in the background. Think Demerara sugar, maybe some milk chocolate. Then an underlying tartness combined with an assortment of berries and some oak-y astringency.
Finish: Medium. Slightly tannic. Some oak char. And herbs as well as roots.
Tamdhu ‘Duich’ 2016 8 Years (57.2%, Dràm Mòr, C#30369)
Nose: An interesting acidity to kick things off. Hints of pomegranate, raspberry and copper. I would say the cask rather dominates the spirit. Touches of orange marmalade also, but then a whiff of cured lemons, honeycomb and minty herbs.
Taste: Sweeter and more PX-like, in a sense. Plenty of oak char, some burnt toast too. But also raisins, figs, and plums. Finally chocolate-y notes, blueberries and leather.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of cassis. Lingering oak spices.
Samples provided by Dràm Mòr
