First Impressions
Tamdhu 12 — 100% Oloroso sherry cask maturation from a distillery that languished in obscurity until Ian Macleod Distillers rescued it. Founded 1897 in Knockando, Speyside. Notable for its Saladin malting boxes — mechanical drum maltings once among the last in Scotland.
The Ian Macleod Revival
The distillery was originally built to supply blends and sat under Edrington's ownership without a single malt identity. Ian Macleod acquired it in 2011 and relaunched it entirely focused on sherry cask maturation — first-fill and refill Oloroso, no bourbon wood. Non-chill filtered, natural colour, 43%.
Tasting
Baked apple and raisin nose with marzipan and cinnamon. Silky, velvety palate of caramel, milk coffee, and sherry-soaked dried fruit. The finish is medium-long with ginger spice and filter coffee. Refined sherry rather than a sherry bomb.
The Verdict
Tamdhu 12 earns a 7.5 — an elegant, approachable sherried Speysider at a fair price. At £42, it's one of the best entry-level 100% sherry-matured malts available. The Ian Macleod revival has given this distillery a deserved identity at last.
