Tamdhu 50 Years Old 1972 Cask #3430 (Private Collection)

Gordon & MacPhail selected this Tamdhu matured to 50 year old from 1972, drawn from cask 3430 and bottled at 47.7%. Only 143 bottles were released. Founded in 1897 in Knockando, Speyside, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. Ian Macleod runs Tamdhu alongside Glengoyne and Rosebank.

The spirit was made in copper stills and filled into sherry seasoned oak, for a fragrant, fruity spirit with weight for the cask. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Very old Tamdhu turns rich and resinous, dried fruit and old oak in a deep malt. First fill Oloroso casks drive the rich, dried fruit character Tamdhu is known for. 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 its natural 47.7% it is concentrated. The ex-Bourbon lends vanilla, honey and apple over the malt. The mouthfeel is rich, the fruit carried on a sherried body. The finish is deep, waxy and spiced. This is a deep, fruity Speyside single malt.