Tamdhu 7 Years Old 2008 Cask #757 (A.D. Rattray)

A.D. Rattray bottled this Tamdhu single malt, aged 7 year old from 2008, drawn from cask 757 and bottled at 55%. Just 302 bottles were filled. Set by the Spey at Knockando, Tamdhu has distilled since 1897. Tamdhu ran the last Saladin box maltings in Scotland, the boxes still standing on site.

It was drawn off copper pot stills fed by the Tamdhu Spring, for the full, fruity make that suits sherry maturation. Maturation in Oloroso sherry laid fig and raisin over the spirit. Still young, the malt is fruity and sherried with a soft spice. 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. Water is drawn from the Tamdhu Spring on the Speyside site.

At a full 55% it is bold and fruity. The Oloroso brings a rich, sherried fruitiness. It is full and deep, the sherried spirit shining through. It closes long, sherried and warm. This is a rich, sherried Speyside single malt.