Tamdhu 39 Years Old 1968 Lonach (Duncan Taylor)

Bottled by Duncan Taylor, this Tamdhu matured to 39 year old from 1968 and bottled at 40%. Founded in 1897 in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. It was built by a consortium of blenders led by William Grant and designed by Charles Doig; the name is Gaelic for little dark hill.

The spirit was run through the distillery's onion shaped stills, and laid down in Oloroso casks for its sherried depth. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Decades leave it deep and oxidative, fig, walnut and dark sugar with great age. Sherry seasoned oak is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. The Spey valley's cool air gives a slow, even maturation in the warehouses. Tamdhu was built in 1897 by a consortium of blenders led by William Grant. The arrival of the Strathspey railway in the 1860s made the distillery possible. For decades its malt fed blends such as the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.

At 40% it is smooth and sherried. Vanilla, honey and a soft apple come from the bourbon wood. A baked apple and a warm ginger lift it. A dried fruit and ginger finish lingers long. This is the sherried Speyside malt of Tamdhu.