Tamdhu 28 Years Old 1989 Cask #4126 (Mackillop’s Choice)

From Mackillop's Choice comes this Tamdhu, a 28 year old from 1989, drawn from cask 4126 and bottled at 48.1%. 310 bottles in all. Tamdhu was founded in 1897 by the Spey at Knockando; it is famed for its sherry cask maturation. Water comes from the Tamdhu Spring, the distillery set on the banks of the Spey.

It was drawn off copper pot stills fed by the Tamdhu Spring, for the full, fruity make that suits sherry maturation. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. At this age it is full and sherried, the fruit folded into a deep, nutty body. The cool Speyside climate gives a slow, even maturation over many years. 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. The River Spey runs past the distillery on its way to the Moray coast. Ian Macleod runs Tamdhu alongside Glengoyne and Rosebank.

At its natural 48.1% it is concentrated. The ex-Bourbon adds vanilla, cream and orchard fruit. A dried fruit and a nutty oak give it real depth. A warming, sherried finish lingers. This is a sherry matured Speyside single malt.