Tamdhu 18 Years Old 1991 (Authentic Collection)

This Tamdhu was from the independent bottler Cadenhead's, an 18 year old Speyside malt from 1991 and bottled at 58.5%. A release of 228 bottles. 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. Under Ian Macleod it is matured chiefly in sherry seasoned Spanish and American oak.

The spirit was run through the distillery's onion shaped stills, and laid down in Oloroso casks for its sherried depth. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. 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. 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. Ian Macleod runs Tamdhu alongside Glengoyne and Rosebank.

Bottled at a cask strength 58.5%, it is intense. The American oak brings vanilla and a honeyed apple. The mouthfeel is rich, the fruit carried on a sherried body. The finish runs rich, nutty and spiced. This is Tamdhu's classic sherried Speyside style.