Precious Liquors Club is a retailer in Singapore doing a lot of (bespoke) independent bottlings. Caroni, Clynelish, Karuizawa or Vallein-Tercinier cognac… they seem to have really good taste.
Today we’re trying a very old Tamdhu 1988 (a sherry cask with a tiny outturn) as well as the Mortlach 12 Year Old, both from their series called Three Wise Men Selection. By the looks of it, this should be a sherry cask as well.
Tamdhu 32 yo 1988 (46,3%, Precious Liquors ‘Three Wise Men Selection’ 2021, sherry hogshead #2840, 69 btl.)
Nose: a perfectly classic sherry style, full of walnuts and hazelnuts, with hints of toffee and gingerbread. Also prunes and tobacco leaves, cinnamon and sultanas. Sandalwood and wee hints of beeswax. A very faint flinty note in the background. Rather perfect.
Mouth: more sherry goodness. It’s a really fruity profile, full of raisins, plum jam, blackberries. Brighter raspberries too, and even a hint of pink grapefruit. Mid-palate there’s a wave of drying woody notes that remind us of a nice rancio in old cognac. On a second level we have tobacco leaves, liquorice and faint cocoa. Also cinnamon and cardamom. Subtle espresso towards the end.
Finish: very long, still really fruity. Dried fruits, hints of chocolate and latte with cinnamon syrup and gentle oak spice.
This is a lovely Tamdhu, reminding us of some Glendronach and Glengoyne releases. In fact it’s the best I’ve had from this distillery. Great selection, and it’s still available, but the price is quite harsh.
Mortlach 12 yo ‘Year of the OX’ (52,3%, Precious Liquors ‘Three Wise Men Selection’ 2021)
Nose: a fairly creamy and waxy profile, there’s even a hint of sunflower oil. Stewed yellow apples, sweet lemons, with subtle honey and hints of moss. Some minty oak as well. None of the meaty Mortlach character, all good..
Mouth: some fruits on one side (pears, apples) with green almonds and subtle herbs. Some sharpness of candied ginger and bitter orange in the middle, adding weight. A little Schweppes. Still a waxy note. Even a salty touch.
Finish: medium, with some green oak spice, grapefruit peels and floral malty notes.
More than correct. It’s a fairly clean Mortlach, with a few sharp edges but good complexity and a nice sherry influence. Also available from their website. Score: 87/100