So cheap... any good? | Tamnavulin Double Cask REVIEW

I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Tamnavulin distillery in Speyside today. This is a particularly cheap one. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes

[@dennis85573]

It was better than you thought it would be. I also tried it and I agree, good for the price.

[@eswindergill9417]

LOVE your banter and style of content. Keep doing what you do buddy. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

Hah very kind words, thanks. Cheers right back at ya! 🥃

[@evanmcdonald3256]

Hi Geoff. I agree 100% with your review. I recently received a bottle of Tamnavulin Double Cask as a gift. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. In South Africa imported whisky is all brought in at a minimum of 43% so my experience is a bit different from yours. Definitely a "value for money bottle". Really enjoy your whisky reviews.

[@Gwhisky]

Lucky you guys! There are a LOT of 40% whiskies that I'm sure are vastly improved just by that extra 3% bump. Glad you're enjoying your bottle, Evan. Cheers! 🥃

[@nicktunney2733]

Excellent review of a pretty decent budget whisky. Keep coming back to this, prefer the sherry cask, quite like all of the red wine casks they do too.

[@user-rb3bb7mi3u]

i have had a few bottles of It, and I think It is a very decente cheapy, nice enough uncomplicated and pleasant sipper.

[@kalifatokata]

One of my 3 regular cheapies, along with Glen moray classic and aerstone 10 sea cask, all similarly priced and decent enough as simple drams.

[@WhiskyWolf514]

Nice! I just finished all your videos ( on the whisk(e)ys Im interested in ). So its a perfect timing. Just got home from picking up my Tamdhu 15 by the way - thanks for the recommendation Geoff! Looking forward to try that one. Have a nice week mate! Slainte 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Tamdhu 15 is beautiful stuff. Hope you enjoy it, buddy! 🥃

[@thegoatchild3545]

I was gifted a bottle of this a while ago and it's not bad at all for the price range. Pretty standard bourbon-sherry flavor profile. Won't blow your socks off but definitely decent.

[@supervillan326]

I’ve got this bottle. It’s ok but not remarkable in any way. Nothing offensive either so an easy drinker. No complaints for the price. You’ve done a very fair review for me.

[@liamclarke5006]

Always good bottle to have for people who put coke with there whisky and always good to see you do few budget whiskys cheers

[@stevewhan7308]

I do need a ‘daily sipper’. Thanks for the heads-up.

[@redsox367]

Not a bad option if you want something cheap and don't worry about the spec, pretty much can be found in most supermarkets in the UK. Always found it decent.

[@marcelst7972]

Great Review. I tried the red wine version at my friends house and it was ok. I had the same impression as you with the double cask. Simple, solid, save and cheap. Not that bad if you are on a budget

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Nice review Geoff, good that you pay attention to these kind of Malts, as they deserve attention also.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks, Hans. We're not their target demographic, but they're ok to check in on once in a while. Cheers! 🥃

[@ffll8427]

i have a bottle of this, bought it to replace my "cocktail blend" that i usually always have around. i caught myself sipping it neat more often though, definitely nice for the price and you won't have a bad conscience when you sip or chug it mindlessly or pour it into a mixer

[@Gwhisky]

Hah agree. Works nicely as a casual sipper!

[@quakermancrazy8731]

I am currently drinking said bottle. I do enjoy this. I'm just getting into scotch and I feel like this is a good intro to speyside

[@vimalrajkappil]

I like the Sherry cask one..cheap,basic but very drinkable

[@Gwhisky]

Cheers bro. 🥃

[@GalacticNomadMele]

Very underrated Whiskey.

[@frankmoonen5159]

I've just watched a 4 year old review: badge 0308, this review: badge 0308, bought my bottle today: badge 0308. Conclusio: Marketing humbug. Still very palatable though and good value for money. By the way: this review is the best! But to me it predominantly tastes like: Whisky, yeah!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah yeah it seems like this "batch" has made it into every market all over the world for many years now. Big batch, I guess. 😂

[@WhiskyLock]

Great to see you got hold of a Tamnavulin and I agree with all of your points. It's difficult to be too critical of this when you consider the price and it's one of my 'go to' cheap social sippers. I think that easy drinking style makes the low ABV less frustrating too. I'd rather have this gentle dram at a low strength than something like a Lagavulin that deserves power behind it. I'd also much rather pay £20 for this than £80+ for that Macallan that you mentioned! Great value and great review. FYI I've been occasionally buying this for many years and they're ALL batch 0308 😁 damn big batch, right?

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah it's cheap and it tastes pretty decent. Could do a cocktail, a casual night, or a thoughtless sipper if you're in the mood for something simple. Whiskies like this aren't the type of thing I tend to buy, but you're right they do have their place. Hah judging from the comments this 0308 seems to have been sold in pretty much every market around the world for quite some time. Cheeky cheeky...

[@maksimminko]

What is a better alternative to this withing 50 euros? Aberlour 12?

[@MaltDaddy]

We should try the other cask finishes this weekend at the whisky fair maybe the other finishes will have some more depth in flavor?

[@Gwhisky]

It's possible. Good idea. Looking forward to it! 🥃

[@ironmantran]

IMPECCABLE TIMING ! Tamna2oak just arrived locally 55 $CA. Specs from W&McK = dont expect much. .. A good return from 10-12 years ago: it did not release anything since 2010-2012 as single malt (mostly in W&Mck Blend). ANother good one for my base vatt.

[@doronneuhaus30]

I have to say I, like you, am a snooty princess. I am also fortunate enough to be able to afford some better stuff (not the real expensive stuff). I found exactly the same as you. I was surprised. I had this in South Africa where we get it at 43%ABV so slightly higher. I was surprised at the flavours and I got lots of vanilla and fresh fruit. I agree with your score, I might give the 43% an 85. For someone coming into the whisky world who wants a really good value for money single malt that they can sip on, I think it is great value. Not going to touch a Springbank or Edradour, but at 20 - 24 euros, it's probably good to have a bottle for that person who visits your house who is normally a JW Red drinker and fancies himself a connoisseur.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! Cheaper malts like this serve a purpose. 🥃

[@hordeum-vulgare]

I have to admit, I struggled with this one. Considerably better is the Tamnavulin Sherry Cask. I tasted them side by side. The latter has some pleasing if slightly acidic fruits and a really good finish (for 40% ABV).

[@robertor.monteiro4274]

The sherry is ver best

[@Gwhisky]

I keep hearing that. I'll have to check out the sherry at some point. 🥃

[@joshbyfield8624]

Would like to hear your thoughts on the Glenfarclas 105, as for the tamnavulin you can't go wrong for the price, not exceptional not bad but just decent

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

In the USA, you can find a Mystery Malt called Lismore, which I believe is ex-bourbon matured Glenfarclas. I've watched some solid reviews of it, including that of their 21 & 18, but it's their $25 NAS 40% version that's on my radar.

[@Gwhisky]

We have LIsmore here. Maybe I should give them a go!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@Gwhisky If the price is right, why not, I'd watch a review. The older age statement ones might be 43% (like Glenfarclas), but I'm unsure.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

The Tamnavulin cask series are exactly what you say they are; cheap, decent, nice flavoured daily drinkers. I like the Red Wine a bit more than the double and the sherry but I haven't tried the Tempranillo one. Cheers Geoff!

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I haven't had any of their other expressions, but I can appreciate that they do a good job for a certain niche of the market. There's much worse stuff out there. Cheers Sertug! 🥃

[@jamesstamp8567]

Thanks for reviewing, I’ve seen this at Total Wine and More the past few months and was wondering if it would be a good inexpensive option.

[@Gwhisky]

My pleasure! 🥃

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one, Geoff. Have to admit that the Tamnavulins I've tried ...er... didn't do it for me. But there definately people who love this. Slàinte mhath

[@chefmarv6499]

1:18 I always like winding down to these long, serene silences with a dram.

[@Gwhisky]

😂😂😂

[@Bowman1999]

Always see Tamnavulin on the shelf but never have had any. As for future reviews would really love to see you review the ‘23 Cairdeas. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

Hoping I can find it here in Taiwan. Cheers! 🥃

[@lightplays2181]

Hi Geoff ! I am alive , meeteng in our whisky club be very cool ))) Tamna duble is nice value money - cuality .Sherry very good )))

[@andrewbutler7681]

I have a bit of a sentimental attachment to Tamnavulin Double Cask. I had been meaning to visit the Fiddichside Inn for ages and finally got around to it in 2017. I asked legendary curmudgeonly barman Joe Brandie for a recommendation and that's what he poured me. I was shocked to read only months later that he had died (although he was 88...); now when I drink it I think of him.

[@Gwhisky]

What a story! Always nice to have a bottle attached to a warm memory. Cheer to you, and to Joe! 🥃

[@PezrulezHaakon]

I had a few of Tamnavulins offerings. The price is low, but they are acceptable and decent. This is the one I liked the least. I liked the German Cask the best. Most of them are sherryforward.

[@Gwhisky]

This is the only one I've tried. I'm not dying to go out and try their whole line, but at some point I might end up trying some of their other releases. I hear some are decent. Cheers! 🥃

[@maxparsons8655]

Interesting review. Tamnavulin seems to be one of the most common whiskey brands in the UK. I never got around to buying one though, and now I've become too snooty about whiskey haha

[@Gwhisky]

Hah well if you're snooty it's a pass. I'm with you. 😉

[@Ian-ij4of]

Hi, just drinking this now, same batch number 0308 oddly enough. Its not potent, but it's quite a friendly whisky that doesn't offend and punches a bit above its weight considering the low price. I'd give it about a 2/2.5 out of 5 personally. I'd preffer a bit more of a kick, but the low ABV kills that. Decent enough offering. You could drink a few tumblers socially and not be drunk.😊..my advice, if you see it cheap somewhere, pick up a bottle and give it a try, like I said it won't offend, it's actually OK for a budget whisky..all the best to everyone from myself in Scotland UK...

[@jeromelieberth6655]

just got this here in British Columbia and also same batch number...hmm... but am waiting for a few tastes before I make up my mind. Very safe and friendly. on to the sherry cask bottle next. BTW great hilarity in your reviews!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks. Yeah as it turns out there's only one batch number for this. Seems it's the same in every country from every year. Big batch! 😉🥃

[@greigmartin4339]

my grudge against this is the way it has spread into uk supermarkets like rising damp. supermarkets here used to carry solid affordable stuff like lagavulin 16, ardbeg 10, bunnahabhain 12 but over the past 5 years its deteriorated down to this 40%, NAS stuff. last time i noticed about 4 different versions/finishes of tamnatwat next to 4 whatever jura has been sticking around in travel retail too long and is now taking up space on a shelf that used to have highland park 12 or glenlivet 15 or laphroaig quarter cask sometimes at discount.

[@Gwhisky]

Tamnatwat. 😂😂😂

[@greigmartin4339]

@@Gwhisky stolen from Maltman Mike. Remember him?

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff. Must be a big batch, my batch number is the same as yours. Got this as a birthday present a good three years ago. Struggling with this one, not even half gone. Maybe its because it’s now in my cellar right at the back of my other bottles. As always a good and honest review, slàinte Geoff.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah it seems like this batch has made it everywhere. Yeah I think it's good for a certain demographic, but we're definitely not the target market. Cheers David! 🥃

[@BadgerJeff]

Solid, honest review from a snooty princess. What's not to like? You are a true patriot and gentleman.

[@Gwhisky]

Stop buttering me up, Jeff. 😎

[@BadgerJeff]

@@Gwhisky 😁 Am I that transparent!?

[@Valera_Scotland]

This stuff nearly put me off whisky all together.... I'm glad i carried on and discovered things like Springbank 10 😅

[@Gwhisky]

Hah ouch! 🥃

[@carlmartinlinder]

Kavalan Distillers select #1 is the same dont you think. Really good for 40%, filtered and ….probably colored?

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I think it's for the same demographic, and it's not bad! 🥃

[@user-rb3bb7mi3u]

I always have a bottle, cheap and decent enough, nothing spectacular, but value for money this and Glen moray are hard to beat.

[@taylorbrasser1597]

Nice video bro

[@011humphrey]

I have it myself, it's not bad, but i wouldn't say it's great

[@Gwhisky]

That's why I settled on 82. 🥃

[@pierreluna1654]

Great review ! I didn't try this one (is the most standard of the tamnavulin range) At this moment I drink the Tamnavulin Spanish Grenache Red Wine Cask Edition (all the range are similar prices) My thoughts are very similar than yours and for the price is really good.

[@Gwhisky]

Interesting! This is the only one I've tried. I'm not likely to rush out and buy their whole range, but I get the chance to try that Red Wine Cask release I'll take it. Cheers Pierre! 🥃

[@pierreluna1654]

@@Gwhisky Honnestly, if you must choice between Tamnavulin double cask and...let's say...Glenmorangie 10 ( more expensive quite sur) What do you choice ?

[@Gwhisky]

@@pierreluna1654 Probably Glenmo 10, but I haven't actually had it in years. I always liked it, though. 🥃

[@log0log]

I didn't like tamnavulin12, because of some off notes. Never tried double cask. But sherry finish is different story - for 15-20euro this is probably the best budget sm whisky, if you ok with sherry profile of course.

[@Gwhisky]

I keep hearing the sherry cask is the one to check out. Cheers! 🥃

[@allenbt11]

Nice review. Sorry though, in my market this expression is typically US$33. There's way too many proved bottles (both Single Malt, and Blended Malts) to fill the workhorse sipper spot on my shelf at that $30-40 price bracket. Once again I am envious of Taiwan's pricing structure. Cheers.

[@Gwhisky]

I agree. $33 is definitely pushing it for this stuff. Happy to sip it from the $20 budget bin, but it can't compete when you start going up in price. 🥃

[@mossie125]

I also have batch 0308! What's the odds!

[@krisverding3908]

That batch is still going !!!

[@robertor.monteiro4274]

Thanks Man😅! But the sherry cask is ver best of this. God bless

[@Gwhisky]

Good to know! Cheers Roberto! 🥃

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I've not had this whisky, but I've had a ton of other budget 40%ers, and they should be respected for what they are. For years my go-to brand in this category was anything from Glen Moray Elgin Classic range, but it's 2023, and what was a $25 bottle is now a $30+ bottle; so... I can still find a handful of sub-$25 malts if I hunt around, maybe, but not many, and virtually all would be Mystery Malts; not that there's anything inherently wrong with a Mystery Malt.

[@philc1884]

Never noticed the brand. Not super cheap in NY - $33 at TotalWine. Sherry csk -$35, Red Wine csk - $40, same the Sauv Blanc csk w is what I'd be most curious to try. Thx G, btw your fact sheet shows 46pr. at 2:25 Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Ah, for that price I think it's a bit much. I'd probably skip if it's over, let's say, $25. It's nice as a cheapie, but there's better stuff when you're pushing $40. As for the specs sheet, it's standardized. It got an "x" for not reaching the standards. Cheers Phil! 🥃

[@philc1884]

@@Gwhisky ahh, my bad, anything under 92pr sucks, yes, I agree 😁

[@goranjovanovic1832]

Same as mine in Serbia. 0308😂

[@Gwhisky]

Seems this batch has made it all around the world. 😂😂😂

[@goranjovanovic1832]

Big batch😂

[@cliffnorman178]

Surprised that it is not a contender for your whisky of the year after your fawning over Classic Laddie. Maybe it is not "hot" enough for you. Classic Laddie is a "generic whisky" as well.

[@Gwhisky]

Nope.

[@jamesnorwood4084]

Say la vie would be Vietnam .. with their close colonial association with the French..... not Taiwan. But I agree, though I've never had any Tamnavulin, 'Tis what it is. Certainly not much. Save yer money and get a reputable & recognizable high end single malt. A bottle that will be representative of true value for money. Quality stands alone upon it's merits & speaks for itself. And money? Don't waste it. Cheers all.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah that would generally be my approach, too. Quantity is not something I'm in desperate need of. 🥃

[@jamesnorwood4084]

@@Gwhisky Axiom holds true always ... ya git what ya pay for. Just as true in tha wide wide world of whisky.. Or whiskey if yer not Irish.

[@BigChimpEnergy]

The fact that it's made by Whyte & Mackay instantly makes me uninterested. When I first started off my whisky journey a decade ago I used to think Richard Paterson was entertaining, but now that I've had a great deal of experience with single malts, blended malts and blends I see the man more like a used car salesman than an entertainer. I've had both Dalmore 12 and Jura 10 and wasn't impressed with either, however at least Jura 10 was only $50 unlike the overpriced $80 Dalmore 12. That being said I can get Ardbeg Wee Beastie for $48 and that's non-chill filtered, natural color and bottled at 47.4%. While it's not the most complex whisky out there it's definitely flavorful if you don't mind punchy, savory peated whisky.

[@Gwhisky]

I'm actually a fan of some Dalmores, although I completely agree that the standard core range is underwhelming and overpriced. Jura tends to be pretty boring. I am, however, happy with the direction that Fettercairn has taken in recent years. They're leaning more into craft presented whiskies, and some of them are excellent. Still, I take your point. Whyte & Mackay products often leave much to be desired. Cheers! 🥃

[@robertor.monteiro4274]

surely 46% would make you level up

[@Gwhisky]

Surely.