Tamdhu 21 Years Old 1989 Cask #4127 (Mackillop’s Choice)

This Tamdhu was from the independent bottler Mackillop's Choice, a 21 year old release from 1989, drawn from cask 4127 and bottled at 43%. Tamdhu, first built in 1897 by a blending consortium in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside, is famed for its sherry cask whisky. 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. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Beyond twenty years the malt grows deep and rich, fig, raisin and walnut over a waxy oak. Sherry seasoned oak is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. The arrival of the Strathspey railway in the 1860s made the distillery possible. For decades its malt fed blends such as the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. Mothballed in 2010, the distillery was revived by Ian Macleod and relaunched in 2013.

At 43% it is clean and fruity. Vanilla, honey and a soft apple come from the bourbon wood. It is full and deep, the sherried spirit shining through. Raisin and a warm ginger draw out the close. This is Tamdhu's classic sherried Speyside style.