Tamdhu 16 Years Old 1998 Cask #DL 10452 (Old Particular)

Bottled by Douglas Laing, this Tamdhu, a 16 year old release from 1998, drawn from cask DL 10452 and bottled at 48.4%. Just 291 bottles were filled. Tamdhu, first built in 1897 by a blending consortium in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside, is famed for its sherry cask whisky. 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.

The spirit was run through the distillery's onion shaped stills, and laid down in Oloroso casks for its sherried depth. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. Past a decade the fruit deepens into fig, raisin, nuts and a warm ginger spice. Sherry seasoned oak is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. A full, fruity spirit gives Tamdhu the weight to carry active sherry wood. An in house cooperage was set up in 2019 to manage its sherry casks.

At its natural 48.4% it is concentrated. Vanilla, honey and a soft apple come from the bourbon wood. Soft orchard fruit and raisin sit behind the spice. It finishes rich, fruity and warming. This is the sherried Speyside malt of Tamdhu.