Tamdhu Single Cask 20 Years Old 2003

This Tamdhu, an official release, a 20 year old release from 2003, drawn from cask 5986 and bottled at 55%. Only 568 bottles were released. Set on a Speyside site once known for smuggling, Tamdhu has distilled since 1897. The old Knockando railway station serves as the distillery's visitor centre.

Distilled on soft Speyside water in onion stills, building the rich, sherried style Tamdhu is known for. Maturation in Oloroso sherry laid fig and raisin over the spirit. Past a decade the fruit deepens into fig, raisin, nuts and a warm ginger spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the sherried, fruity core over time. Water is drawn from the Tamdhu Spring on the Speyside site. The distillery was built on a spot once known for illicit distilling. A full, fruity spirit gives Tamdhu the weight to carry active sherry wood. 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.

At 55%, undiluted, it is deep and sherried. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, nuts and a soft spice. A baked apple and a warm ginger lift it. The close is warm, dried fruit over soft oak. This is the sherry cask malt of Knockando.