Tamdhu 10 year old Whisky

The first thing that drew me to the Tamdhu 10 year old was the bottle shape. In between all the similar shaped whisky bottles, the beautiful Tamdhu bottles stood out. The old fashioned bevelled bottle reflects the light like a crystal.

Regardless of the taste, I wanted the bottle for the shape. Then I went to read up about this Speyside distillery, and I just had to taste the Tamdhu 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1896, a group of investors founded the Tamdhu Distillery and a year later it was bought by Highland Distillers. Highland Distillers today is a subsidiary of Edrington Group who own Highland Park, the Macallan and Famous Grouse whisky.

Located in the Scottish Speyside town of Knockando in Banffshire, Scotland, Tamdhu means “little dark hill” in Gaelic.

The Tamdhu distillery was mothballed in 2009 and subsequently sold to Ian MacLeod Distillers in June 2011. The new owners fired up the stills soon afterwards and started producing single malt again.

Today Tamdhu uses sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. The casks are shipped whole to Speyside to ensure none of the flavours is lost. The newly filled casks are matured on the banks of the River Spey.

The Tamdhu 10 year old whisky is the signature malt and the first release by the new owners. The whisky is matured exclusively in sherry casks.

Also Read: Glengoyne 17 year old whisky

Tamdhu 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Polished copper, both in the bottle and in the glass. There is a lovely warm reddish glow to the spirit.

NOSE: Sweetness of ripe berries fruits, mixed with some butterscotch and vanilla. Hints of raisins and spicy oak.

PALATE: Sweet fruitiness balanced with notes of cinnamon, black pepper and cardamom with hints of dried citrus peel. The addition of water adds more smoothness to the Tamdhu 10 year old and bring the flavours together in a more luxurious and a more sophisticated way.

FINISH: A bit short. It ends in notes of citrus en pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is probably one of the more citrusy whiskies I have tasted. The citrus is nicely balance with spices and a fruity sweetness. An elegant and luxurious dram.

At the end of 2016, I paired this Tamdhu 10 year old Scotch with some a Tamdhu 10 yo whisky finish to make it MILES long. I have also tried the Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001, and it is a huge mouth full.

Also Read: Benromach 10 yo whisky