Tamdhu 25 Years Old 1998 Cask #DL 18157 (XOP)

This is a Tamdhu single malt, chosen and bottled by Douglas Laing, aged 25 year old from 1998, drawn from cask DL 18157 and bottled at 51%. Only 274 bottles were released. Set on a Speyside site once known for smuggling, Tamdhu has distilled since 1897. For decades its malt fed blends such as the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.

Distilled on soft Speyside water in onion stills, building the rich, sherried style Tamdhu is known for. 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. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the sherried, fruity core over time. 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. 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 51% it is rich and full. Honeyed vanilla and apple come through from the oak. A baked apple and a warm ginger lift it. Raisin and a warm ginger draw out the close. This is Ian Macleod's sherry led Speysider.