Tamdhu Distinction Quercus Alba

It was in 1863 that the Strathspey railway first graced Speyside's locality. A dependable means of travel was, at last, brought to the area and several distilleries were built as a result. Tamdhu was one of them; founded in 1896 by a group of whisky blenders, including William Grant and Sons among others, and designed by the famed, prolific Speyside distillery architect, Charles Doig of Elgin.

The distillery is of good size; her six stills have a total capacity of four million litres annually, though at present Tamdhu runs at three quarters of this. Tamdhu installed a substantial Saladin box malting system in 1950. One of but a handful of distilleries with onsite maltings and the only one still using a Saladin box, Tamdhu produces all of its own malt as well as enough to supply other distilleries in the Edrington group, notably the Glenrothes distillery. Tamdhu lies on the banks of the mighty River Spey, not far from Knockando. The Knockando distillery's ancient railway station has since been converted into the Tamdhu visitor centre.

Tamdhu Distinction Quercus Alba

This new limited edition release celebrates the unmistakable characteristics of first-fill American oak sherry cask maturation. Quercus Alba Distinction begins its journey in the oak forests of North America, before being imported into Spain where these casks are carefully crafted in the ‘sherry triangle’ over the course of six years.

The staves are left to air dry in the Mediterranean sun before being assembled and toasted by experienced coopers. Finally, the Oloroso sherry seasoning takes place, before the casks travel to Tamdhu. Over time, Tamdhu's vibrant new-make spirit combines with the American Oak sherry cask to deliver rich fruity flavours and a wonderful natural amber colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Malty and creamy with vanilla, cinnamon, honey, apple crumble, cherries, citrus and delicate mint.

Palate: Mouth coating with a luscious richness, thick and fruity with soft oak, plum, gooseberry and chocolate limes.

Finish: Long with the sherry notes lingering into a fruity finish.