The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Tamdhu 12 Year Old Sherry Oak Casks
Scotch WhiskyIssue 118

Tamdhu 12 Year Old Sherry Oak Casks

Tamdhu · Tamdhu Distillery

86 proof12 YearSpeyside, Scotland
Tamdhu's commitment to 100% sherry oak maturation pays dividends in this 12-year expression. It's an honest, well-structured Speyside that demonstrates the clarity of purpose you get when a distillery commits fully to a single cask philosophy rather than hedging with mixed wood programs.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried apricot and sultana open the nose, followed by a wave of honey-drizzled malt. Subtle clove spice sits beneath a layer of dark chocolate and a whisper of rosewater.

Palate

Creamy and medium-bodied, with sherry-driven dried fruit giving way to hazelnut butter and orange marmalade. A gentle oakiness provides structure without dominance, and the malt backbone keeps everything grounded.

Finish

Medium-long with lingering dried fruit, cocoa nibs, and a final flicker of warm spice.

Specifications
Region
Speyside
Cask Type
Oloroso sherry casks
Peat Level (PPM)
0
Distillation
Double distilled in copper pot stills
Maturation
100% Oloroso sherry-seasoned oak casks, minimum 12 years
Chill-Filtered
Non-chill filtered
Serve & Pair

Cocktail Suggestion

Sherry Lane Rob Roy — 2 oz Tamdhu 12 · 1 oz sweet vermouth · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir with ice, strain into coupe, garnish with brandied cherry.

Food Pairing

The whisky's dried fruit and cocoa notes create a mirror image with a bittersweet chocolate and fig filling, while its honeyed malt tempers the tart's richness.

The Story

Nestled along the River Spey, Tamdhu Distillery has operated its own on-site floor maltings since 1897 and exclusively matures its whisky in sherry casks sourced directly from cooperages in Jerez, Spain.

Train These Aromas
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