Tamdhu 15 Years Old 2007 Cask #DL 16481 (Old Particular)

A Tamdhu single malt, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing, a 15 year old from 2007, drawn from cask DL 16481 and bottled at 48.4%. Just 383 bottles were filled. Tamdhu was established in 1897 on the banks of the Spey in Speyside; its rich, sherried malt has a devoted following. Mothballed in 2010, the distillery was revived by Ian Macleod, who relaunched the single malt in 2013.

Distilled in copper onion stills on Tamdhu Spring water, for a rich Speyside spirit built to take sherry wood. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the malt to the fore. Mid age brings a deeper sherry and a riper dried fruit note. A patient maturation suits the rich, sherried Tamdhu character. 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. The distillery was built on a spot once known for illicit distilling.

Undiluted at 48.4%, it is layered. Ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla, honey and orchard fruit. It is deep and fruity, the sherry and oak well matched. The finish is deep, waxy and spiced. This is a dried fruit rich Speyside malt.