Tamdhu distillery

Introduction to Tamdhu

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Tamdhu is a Speyside Scottish distillery that exemplifies the perfect marriage between traditional craftsmanship and careful innovation. Located on the banks of the River Spey, Tamdhu has established a reputation for producing exceptional sherried single malt whiskies with remarkable consistency and depth. The distillery’s commitment to quality is evident in every drop of their meticulously crafted spirit.

The name “Tamdhu” comes from the Gaelic “Tamdhu” meaning “little dark hill” – a fitting name for a distillery that creates rich, deep whiskies with layers of complexity.

Why we have a soft spot for Tamdhu

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate distilleries that stay true to their heritage while delivering exceptional quality. Tamdhu stands out for its unwavering commitment to sherry cask maturation, creating whiskies with distinctive depth and character. Their dedication to traditional methods combined with modern precision makes each release a true delight for whisky enthusiasts.

The honest, unpretentious approach to whisky-making at Tamdhu resonates perfectly with our philosophy of celebrating authentic spirits with genuine character.

The History behind Tamdhu

Origin and development

Tamdhu was founded in 1897 by a consortium of whisky blenders, including William Grant & Sons. The distillery was designed by the renowned distillery architect Charles Doig, who created a facility that was considered state-of-the-art for its time. This ambitious project was part of the whisky boom of the late 19th century, with Tamdhu positioned as a modern marvel of whisky production.

Throughout its history, Tamdhu has experienced both triumphs and challenges. After closing in 2010, the distillery was purchased and revitalized by Ian Macleod Distillers in 2011, marking the beginning of a new chapter focused on showcasing Tamdhu’s exceptional sherry-matured single malt.

The people behind

Today, Tamdhu is guided by the expertise of Ian Macleod Distillers, a family-owned company with deep roots in the Scotch whisky industry. The distillery team, led by experienced distillery manager Sandy McIntyre, brings together traditional knowledge with meticulous attention to detail. Their collective passion ensures that every aspect of production honors Tamdhu’s heritage while creating whiskies that speak to contemporary palates.

The revitalization of Tamdhu has been driven by a clear vision: to create the finest sherry cask matured whisky, celebrating the distillery’s historic connection to these exceptional casks.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Production at Tamdhu begins with quality barley, which undergoes a slow mashing process in the distillery’s traditional mashtun. The fermentation takes place in wooden washbacks, allowing for the development of complex flavors before distillation.

Tamdhu employs distinctive copper pot stills with unique shapes that contribute to the spirit’s character. The stills, with their bulbous bases and long narrow necks, help create a refined spirit with remarkable fruity notes and an elegant character before it even touches wood.

One of Tamdhu’s distinctions is their use of “shell and tube” condensers rather than traditional worm tubs, resulting in greater copper contact and a lighter, fruitier spirit that provides the perfect canvas for sherry cask maturation.

Maturation and aging

Maturation at Tamdhu is exclusively focused on sherry oak casks, sourced primarily from Jerez, Spain. The distillery maintains strong relationships with Spanish cooperages to ensure a steady supply of the finest European and American oak casks, all seasoned with Oloroso sherry.

These casks impart rich flavors of dried fruits, spices, and chocolate, while the cool, damp conditions of Speyside warehouses allow for a slow, steady maturation that develops complexity without overwhelming the spirit’s inherent character. This dedication to sherry cask maturation is what gives Tamdhu whiskies their distinctive ruby color and deep, rich flavor profile.

Selected Products from Tamdhu

Tamdhu 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This expression perfectly showcases the distillery’s signature style. Matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, it offers notes of vanilla, dried fruits, warm spices, and a hint of citrus. The balanced, smooth mouthfeel makes it an excellent introduction for those new to sherry-influenced whiskies while still offering enough complexity to satisfy experienced enthusiasts.

At 43% ABV, the 12 Year Old delivers a wonderfully accessible experience that highlights Tamdhu’s dedication to quality sherry cask maturation.

Tamdhu Batch Strength – An experience for connoisseurs

For those seeking a more intense expression of Tamdhu’s character, the Batch Strength series offers a more robust experience. Bottled at cask strength without chill filtration, each release showcases the natural intensity and depth of Tamdhu’s sherry-matured spirit.

Expect a rich mouthfeel with concentrated notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits, baking spices, and oak. The higher ABV amplifies the experience, creating a layered and rewarding dram that evolves beautifully with a few drops of water. Each batch release has its own unique character while maintaining Tamdhu’s core sherry-influenced profile.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Tamdhu offers visitors a chance to experience firsthand the meticulous process behind their exceptional sherry cask whiskies. The distillery tours provide insight into every stage of production, from milling and mashing to distillation and maturation.

The tastings typically include several expressions that showcase the range of Tamdhu’s portfolio, allowing visitors to understand how different ages and cask types influence the final product. The beautiful Speyside setting adds to the experience, with the River Spey flowing nearby and the historic distillery buildings telling their own story of Scottish whisky heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tamdhu?

Tamdhu is a Speyside single malt whisky distillery that specializes in sherry cask maturation. Founded in 1897, the distillery produces whiskies with a rich, fruity character, enhanced by the exclusive use of Oloroso sherry casks for maturation. Their approach combines traditional distilling methods with a focused maturation strategy to create distinctive, sherry-influenced malts.

Where is Tamdhu located?

Tamdhu is located in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, near the village of Knockando on the banks of the River Spey. This prime location in Scotland’s most renowned whisky-producing region provides ideal conditions for whisky maturation, with its temperate climate and pure water sources contributing to the character of the spirit.

What characterizes Tamdhu whisky?

Tamdhu is distinguished by its exclusive focus on sherry cask maturation, resulting in whiskies with rich amber colors and complex flavors of dried fruits, nuts, spices, and chocolate. The distillery’s spirit has an underlying fruitiness that provides a perfect foundation for the influence of sherry casks, creating balanced whiskies with remarkable depth and a smooth, satisfying finish.

Where can I buy whisky from Tamdhu?

You can find selected bottles from Tamdhu’s range at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate our selection to include both the core expressions and limited releases, ensuring you have access to the finest examples of this Speyside distillery’s craftsmanship. Whether you’re new to Tamdhu or a long-time fan, we have the perfect bottle to enhance your collection.