Tamdhu 20 Years Old 1997 Cask #307089 (Morrison and MacKay)

Bottled by Morrison and MacKay, this Tamdhu matured to 20 year old from 1997, drawn from cask 307089 and bottled at 54.6%. Only 215 bottles were released. Established in 1897 at Knockando on the River Spey, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. 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.

It was worked through onion stills for a rich Speyside spirit, then filled into sherry seasoned casks, the heart of the Tamdhu style. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Past a decade the fruit deepens into fig, raisin, nuts and a warm ginger spice. Refill oak lets the fruity distillery character lead beneath the sherry. Mothballed in 2010, the distillery was revived by Ian Macleod and relaunched in 2013. 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.

At cask strength 54.6% it is rich and full. The ex-Bourbon lends vanilla, honey and apple over the malt. A baked apple and a warm ginger lift it. A dried fruit and ginger finish lingers long. This is the sherried Speyside malt of Tamdhu.