Tamdhu 16 Years Old 2007 Cask #HL 21178 (Old Malt Cask)

Bottled by Hunter Laing, this Tamdhu, a 16 year old Speyside malt from 2007, drawn from cask HL 21178 and bottled at 50%. Only 388 bottles were released. Tamdhu was founded in 1897 by a group of blenders in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside, and it was revived by Ian Macleod Distillers in 2013. 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. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the malt in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Mid age brings a deeper sherry and a riper dried fruit note. Sherry seasoned oak is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. 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. Tamdhu was built in 1897 by a consortium of blenders led by William Grant.

At a hearty 50% it carries real weight. The Oloroso brings a rich, sherried fruitiness. A baked apple and a warm ginger lift it. It finishes rich, fruity and warming. This is the sherried Speyside malt of Tamdhu.