Tamdhu 40 Years Old 1968 Cask #4103 (Duncan Taylor)

Duncan Taylor selected this Tamdhu, a 40 year old Speyside malt from 1968, drawn from cask 4103 and bottled at 40%. The outturn was 189 bottles. Tamdhu was first built in 1897 by a blending consortium on the banks of the Spey in Speyside, and it has been the sherried face of Speyside since its revival. Ian Macleod runs Tamdhu alongside Glengoyne and Rosebank.

Distilled in copper onion stills on Tamdhu Spring water, for a rich Speyside spirit built to take sherry wood. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. At forty years and more it is profound and waxy, dense dried fruit, leather and old oak. 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.

At 40% it is supple and rich. The American oak brings vanilla and a honeyed apple. The mouthfeel is rich, the fruit carried on a sherried body. The finish runs rich, nutty and spiced. This is a deep, fruity Speyside single malt.