Tamdhu 16 Years Old 2004 Cask #DL 14411 (Old Particular)

Single malt Tamdhu, an independent Douglas Laing bottling, a 16 year old from 2004, drawn from cask DL 14411 and bottled at 48.4%. Just 343 bottles were filled. Tamdhu was opened in 1897 in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside; it once ran the last Saladin box maltings in Scotland. The old Knockando railway station serves as the distillery's visitor centre.

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. Mid age brings a deeper sherry and a riper dried fruit note. The full bodied make carries the sherry cask well across long maturation. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 48.4%, it is intense. Vanilla, honey and a soft apple come from the bourbon wood. It is full and deep, the sherried spirit shining through. A dried fruit and ginger finish lingers long. This is the sherry cask malt of Knockando.