Tamdhu 15 Years Old (43%)

An official Tamdhu single malt, aged 15 year old and bottled at 43%. Opened in 1897 on the banks of the Spey in Speyside, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. Mothballed in 2010, the distillery was revived by Ian Macleod, who relaunched the single malt in 2013.

Distilled in copper onion stills on Tamdhu Spring water, for a rich Speyside spirit built to take sherry wood. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. By this age the sherried spirit rounds into dried fruit and a nutty depth. A patient maturation suits the rich, sherried Tamdhu character. The distillery was built on a spot once known for illicit distilling. A full, fruity spirit gives Tamdhu the weight to carry active sherry wood. An in house cooperage was set up in 2019 to manage its sherry casks. Tamdhu sits among the great sherried Speysiders, a sister to Macallan in style. The Spey valley's cool air gives a slow, even maturation in the warehouses.

At an approachable 43% it is rich and balanced. Vanilla, honey and a soft apple come from the bourbon wood. A dried fruit and a nutty oak give it real depth. The finish runs rich, nutty and spiced. This is a dried fruit rich Speyside malt.