Tamdhu 10 Years Old (Premier Barrel)

A Tamdhu single malt, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing, a 10 year old release and bottled at 46%. Just 438 bottles were filled. Tamdhu, founded in 1897 by a group of blenders by the Spey at Knockando, is famed for its sherry cask whisky. Mothballed in 2010, the distillery was revived by Ian Macleod, who relaunched the single malt in 2013.

It was drawn off copper pot stills fed by the Tamdhu Spring, for the full, fruity make that suits sherry maturation. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the malt to the fore. At this age the spirit is fresh and fruity, the sherry bright over orchard fruit. 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.

At 46% it is supple and rich. Ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla, honey and orchard fruit. It is deep and fruity, the sherry and oak well matched. The finish runs rich, nutty and spiced. This is a dried fruit rich Speyside malt.