Duich 2016 DMor (Dràm Mòr)

Single malt Tamdhu, an independent Dràm Mòr bottling, aged 8 year old from 2016, drawn from cask 30369 and bottled at 57.2%. Just 230 bottles were filled. Set at Knockando on the River Spey, Tamdhu has distilled since 1897. The old Knockando railway station serves as the distillery's visitor centre.

It was worked through onion stills for a rich Speyside spirit, then filled into sherry seasoned casks, the heart of the Tamdhu style. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the malt in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At a youthful age the fruit is vivid and the sherry clear. Dunnage and racked warehousing on site gives a slow maturation by the Spey. 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 a hearty 57.2% it carries real weight. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle over the malt. It is full and deep, the sherried spirit shining through. Raisin and a warm ginger draw out the close. This is the sherry cask malt of Knockando.