Tamdhu 15 Years Old 2004 Cask #DL 13068 (Old Particular)

Bottled by Douglas Laing, this Tamdhu, a 15 year old Speyside malt from 2004, drawn from cask DL 13068 and bottled at 48.4%. Only 84 bottles were released. Tamdhu was first built in 1897 by a blending consortium on a Speyside site once known for smuggling, and it has been the sherried face of Speyside since its revival. It was built by a consortium of blenders led by William Grant and designed by Charles Doig; the name is Gaelic for little dark hill.

Distilled on soft Speyside water in onion stills, building the rich, sherried style Tamdhu is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. By this age the sherried spirit rounds into dried fruit and a nutty depth. The fragrant, fruity spirit has the weight to stand up to active sherry wood. Tamdhu sits among the great sherried Speysiders, a sister to Macallan in style. The Spey valley's cool air gives a slow, even maturation in the warehouses.

At a hearty 48.4% it carries real weight. The ex-Bourbon adds vanilla, cream and orchard fruit. Soft orchard fruit and raisin sit behind the spice. The close is warm, dried fruit over soft oak. This is the sherried Speyside malt of Tamdhu.