Tamdhu 18 Years Old 1998 Distiller’s Art (Langside Distillers)

This is a Tamdhu single malt, chosen and bottled by Langside Distillers, an 18 year old Speyside malt from 1998 and bottled at 48%. Only 130 bottles were released. Tamdhu was built in 1897 at Knockando on the River Spey, and it long fed blends before its single malt revival. For decades its malt fed blends such as the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.

It was worked through onion stills for a rich Speyside spirit, then filled into sherry seasoned casks, the heart of the Tamdhu style. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and honey. Around the mid teens the malt gains a fuller dried fruit over the orchard fruit. Dunnage and racked warehousing on site gives a slow maturation by the Spey. 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. A full, fruity spirit gives Tamdhu the weight to carry active sherry wood.

At a hearty 48% it carries real weight. Ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla, honey and orchard fruit. Beneath it run fig, raisin and a warm spice. It finishes rich, fruity and warming. This is Ian Macleod's sherry led Speysider.