Tamdhu 10 Years Old 2015 The Cooper’s Choice The Golden Cut (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

This is a Tamdhu single malt, chosen and bottled by The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd matured to 10 year old from 2015 and bottled at 50%. Only 390 bottles were released. Opened in 1897 on a Speyside site once known for smuggling, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. For decades its malt fed blends such as the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.

Distilled on soft Speyside water in onion stills, building the rich, sherried style Tamdhu is known for. Sherry seasoned oak gave the dried fruit richness Tamdhu is known for. Younger here, it keeps a lively fruit over a developing sherry depth. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the sherried, fruity core over time. 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 cask strength 50% it is rich and full. The Sauternes brings honey, apricot and a candied sweetness. The texture is rich and rounded, the fruit lifted by sherry. Fig, raisin and oak see out a long finish. This is Ian Macleod's sherry led Speysider.