Tamdhu 9 Years Old 2006 Cask #920 (van Wees)

van Wees selected this Tamdhu, a 9 year old Speyside malt from 2006, drawn from cask 920 and bottled at 63.6%. Only 630 bottles were released. Established in 1897 by the Spey at Knockando, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. Ian Macleod runs Tamdhu alongside Glengoyne and Rosebank.

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. Younger here, it keeps a lively fruit over a developing sherry depth. Spanish and American oak sherry casks build the layered Tamdhu profile. Sherry casks, both Spanish and American oak, define the modern Tamdhu. The name Tamdhu is Gaelic for little dark hill, and the architect was Charles Doig. The River Spey runs past the distillery on its way to the Moray coast. Ian Macleod runs Tamdhu alongside Glengoyne and Rosebank. Water is drawn from the Tamdhu Spring on the Speyside site.

At its natural 63.6% it is concentrated. The Oloroso brings raisin, orchard fruit and a warm spice. It is deep and fruity, the sherry and oak well matched. A warming, sherried finish lingers. This is a deep, fruity Speyside single malt.