Tamdhu 40 Years Old 1966 The MacPhail’s (G&M)

This Tamdhu was from the independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, a 40 year old from 1966 and bottled at 43%. Tamdhu was opened in 1897 in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside; it once ran the last Saladin box maltings in Scotland. 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. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. At this great age the malt is full and mellow, the sherry deep and the oak polished. Sherry seasoned oak is central to the house style, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. 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 43% it is clean and fruity. The ex-Bourbon adds vanilla, cream and orchard fruit. It is full and deep, the sherried spirit shining through. The close is warm, dried fruit over soft oak. This is Tamdhu's classic sherried Speyside style.