Tamdhu 9 Years Old 2006 Hepburn’s Choice (Langside Distillers)

A Tamdhu single malt, selected and bottled by Langside Distillers matured to 9 year old from 2006 and bottled at 46%. A release of 405 bottles. Opened in 1897 on the banks of the Spey in Speyside, Tamdhu is a sherry led Speyside malt. Mothballed in 2010, the distillery was revived by Ian Macleod, who relaunched the single malt in 2013.

Distilled in copper onion stills on Tamdhu Spring water, for a rich Speyside spirit built to take sherry wood. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. Younger here, it keeps a lively fruit over a developing sherry depth. A patient maturation suits the rich, sherried Tamdhu character. An in house cooperage was set up in 2019 to manage its sherry casks. Tamdhu sits among the great sherried Speysiders, a sister to Macallan in style. The Spey valley's cool air gives a slow, even maturation in the warehouses. Tamdhu was built in 1897 by a consortium of blenders led by William Grant.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. The American oak brings vanilla and a honeyed apple. The texture is rich and rounded, the fruit lifted by sherry. The finish is deep, waxy and spiced. This is a dried fruit rich Speyside malt.