Tamdhu 42 Years Old 1971 The MacPhail’s (G&M)

From Gordon & MacPhail comes this Tamdhu, aged 42 year old from 1971 and bottled at 43%. Set by the Spey at Knockando, Tamdhu has distilled since 1897. Water comes from the Tamdhu Spring, the distillery set on the banks of the Spey.

It was drawn off copper pot stills fed by the Tamdhu Spring, for the full, fruity make that suits sherry maturation. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At forty years and more it is profound and waxy, dense dried fruit, leather and old oak. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over many years. Water is drawn from the Tamdhu Spring on the Speyside site. 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 43% it is supple and rich. The Oloroso brings raisin, walnut and dark sugar. A dried fruit and a nutty oak give it real depth. A long, sherried finish carries a nutty depth. This is a sherry matured Speyside single malt.