In 1897, a group of like-minded entrepreneurs came together with a shared ambition – to create the finest whisky in the world. No mean feat. They raised today’s equivalent of £20 million and began to make their vision a reality.
From the very first moment, everyone involved in Tamdhu had the same mind-set – excellence must be achieved. And so, it began. The finest distillery architect and engineer of the day, Charles C Doig ESQ, was enlisted. The flawless location by the banks of the River Spey was acquired. The most advanced techniques were chosen. And the perfect sherry casks from Spain were selected. The stage was set.
In 1949, we began to modernise the original floor maltings and took the innovative decision to introduce Saladin boxes, a French invention that mechanises the barley turning process. As production in the distillery steadily increased over the next 15 years, it became necessary to increase the maltings output. At one stage, an impressive 10 Saladin boxes were required.
The popularity of whisky reached record highs in the 1970s and Tamdhu expanded further to meet the growing demand. Four stills were added in as many years, allowing the distillery to increase production considerably without compromising the exceptional quality of our spirit.
However, in 2010, outside pressures forced the distillery to close its doors. But all was not lost just yet.
In January of 2012, the determination of Ian Macleod Distillers saw the Tamdhu Distillery doors open once more. Inspired by the founders’ dedication to creating whisky excellence, the family enterprise returned the distillery to its former glory, using the same processes and passion for 100% sherry oak cask maturation as the founders had before them. Today, Tamdhu is proud to exclusively mature in the finest sherry oak casks. Nothing less.
2018 will live long in the memory for the Tamdhu family for two very good reasons. Six years on from the Speyside distillery reopening its doors, a new member of whisky dedication was introduced; Tamdhu 12-year-old Single Malt. An exquisite natural amber spirit that’s a little older, wiser, and more mature. But it didn’t stop there. In December of the same year, Tamdhu’s Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre, was crowned Icons of Whisky (Scotland) Distillery Manager of the Year. It was then official – Tamdhu had returned to the top.
With whisky dedication now revelling in its second coming, a new limited release was launched to complement the expanding collection of Tamdhu; the 15-Year-Old Single Malt. Continuing Tamdhu’s dedication to 100% sherry cask oak maturation in the finest American and European Oloroso casks, the liquid has an exquisite fruit flavour intensity with notes of apple, apricot, and spiced currants (to name a few.)
In 1897, a group of like-minded entrepreneurs came together with a shared ambition – to dedicate themselves to creating the finest whisky in the world. 125 years later came the introduction of Tamdhu’s most exclusive family member; the 18-Year-Old Single Malt. A fitting way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of whisky excellence.