Tamdhu Distinction

This Tamdhu, an official release and bottled at 48%. Tamdhu, first built in 1897 by a blending consortium in Knockando, in the heart of Speyside, is famed for its sherry cask whisky. For decades its malt fed blends such as the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.

The spirit was run through the distillery's onion shaped stills, and laid down in Oloroso casks for its sherried depth. Sherry seasoned oak gave the dried fruit richness Tamdhu is known for. Carrying no age, it leans on dried fruit, nuts and a warm spice. The full bodied make carries the sherry cask well across long maturation. 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. The arrival of the Strathspey railway in the 1860s made the distillery possible.

At a hearty 48% it carries real weight. The Oloroso brings a fruity, sherried depth. It is full and deep, the sherried spirit shining through. A dried fruit and ginger finish lingers long. This is Ian Macleod's sherry led Speysider.