Cadenhead Enigma Blended Malt 35yo & Cadenhead’s Tobermory 16yo Authentic Collection January 2025

Cadenhead Enigma Blended Malt 35yo

Region: N/A

ABV: 51.5%

Price: £150.00

There’s very little information available on this one, though it could be that Cadenheads bought this cask pre-blended, or it’s teaspooned and they haven’t put the teaspooned name on. The whisky was matured in a refill butt.  

Nose

Initially, the nose presents notes of strawberry sherbet, lemon juice, chocolate coins, papaya, and freshly chopped wood. On revisiting, additional layers of coconut mushrooms, lime cordial, caramel sauce, smoked paprika, and candy necklaces emerge. It’s quite easy to nose at this ABV, though we wouldn’t have immediately guessed sherry cask based on the nose alone. 

Palate

The palate opens with notes of Del Monte pineapple juice, milk chocolate, strawberry, and melon. There’s a good amount of fruit sweetness on a medium-length finish, though it’s accompanied by a touch too much cracked black pepper spice and a hint of light grapefruit bitterness. The mouthfeel is decent, with a pleasant vanilla note that lingers throughout the dram. Like the nose, it doesn’t immediately present as a sherried whisky. 

Nose (with water)

With water, the nose has lost many of the enjoyable pre-dilution notes, leaving behind vanilla, citrus, and wood. There’s also a hint of Play-Doh or plasticine now. 

Palate (with water)

With water the palate has developed more spice and now has a noticeably drying effect. There’s a strong presence of lime, along with orange rind and a lingering dark chocolate bitterness. The mouthfeel is thinner, and while the finish remains roughly the same length, the sweeter notes fade more quickly.

Conclusion

Definitely one to avoid diluting. Undiluted, it’s a good—but not spectacular—dram that just lacks that extra something to elevate it to the next level.

Score: 7/10

Value

It’s hard to complain about a 35-year-old malt for £150. 

Cadenhead’s Tobermory 16yo Authentic Collection January 2025

Region: Highlands

ABV: 63.7%

Price: £80.00

Distilled in 2008 and matured in a refill sherry butt, this whisky was bottled in January 2025. A total of 390 bottles were released.  

Nose

The nose opens with notes of fudge, beef jerky, candied ginger, and Dairy Milk chocolate. Interestingly, despite its similar colour to the Enigma, this is far more obviously sherry-matured. On revisiting, additional layers of Cadbury’s Fudge Fingers, melted butter, brioche, and puff pastry emerge. Like today’s other review, it’s remarkably easy to nose even at a whopping 63%+ ABV. 

Palate

Much like the nose, we’re surprised by just how much sherry influence comes through on the palate given the colour. Notes of lightly roasted coffee, sugar cubes, dark chocolate, candied nuts, limeade, fresh raspberries, and fudge are prominent. The finish is rich with sherry and a touch of peppery spice, yet it remains surprisingly easy to drink despite the high ABV. The mouthfeel is good. 

Nose (with water)

With water, the pre-dilution notes have become more concentrated. The caramel note especially is more pronounced, but overall, the nose remains largely unchanged. 

Palate (with water)

With water, the mouthfeel has held up well, and the finish remains a good length with a decent amount of sweetness lingering. However, our main issue is that it has become more bready and yeasty, pushing the more interesting notes into the background.

Conclusion

 It’s always great to see a fully matured release, and even better when it turns out to be an excellent sherry cask. In this case, there’s a well-balanced harmony between the spirit and the cask. So far, this has been our favourite from this batch of Cadenheads bottles.

Score: 8/10

Value

A 16-year-old whisky fully matured in sherry for £80 is an excellent deal.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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