Tamdhu 25 Years Old 1988 Cask #DL 10297 (Directors’ Cut)

This Tamdhu was from the independent bottler Douglas Laing, a 25 year old from 1988, drawn from cask DL 10297 and bottled at 50.1%. The outturn was 288 bottles. Tamdhu was established in 1897 on a Speyside site once known for smuggling; its rich, sherried malt has a devoted following. Under Ian Macleod it is matured chiefly in sherry seasoned Spanish and American oak.

Distilled on soft Speyside water in onion stills, building the rich, sherried style Tamdhu is known for. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the malt in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Past twenty years the spirit turns rich and waxy while keeping its fruit. The fragrant, fruity spirit has the weight to stand up to active sherry wood. 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. An in house cooperage was set up in 2019 to manage its sherry casks.

At a natural 50.1% it is full and rich. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth. Beneath it run fig, raisin and a warm spice. A dried fruit and ginger finish lingers long. This is Tamdhu's classic sherried Speyside style.