Whisky Focus - Tamdhu 50 Year Old Review of 120th Anniversary Bottling

Tamdhu distillery in Speyside has unveiled a very special Scotch single malt to mark it's 120th anniversary, they have unveiled the Tamdhu 50 Year Old single malt whisky which was distilled on 2 November 1963 and matured in a single first fill European Oak Sherry Butt cask no. 4678.

Only 100 bottles of the Tamdhu 50 will be available and as you would expect for a whisky of this age and rarity you will need deep pockets if you want to get your hands on a bottle, it will set you back £16,000 per bottle.

Tamdhu describe this rare 50 year old as having forest fruits, elegant oak and orange depths on the nose. On the palate, cloves, liquorice, espresso and baked apples are revealed, with a lingering finish of cocoa, ginger, walnuts and maple syrup. If that doesn't make your mouth water enough have a look at the tasting note video, it really does look deliciously rich and Tamdhu distillery managers reaction to first tasting it makes you want to try it even more.

As you would expect for such a rare whisky, the Tamdhu 50 is presented in an exquisitely-designed decanter, created by a team of traditional British craftsmen and women including glass designer Katy Holford, crystal experts Royal Brierley, and the silversmiths at renowned luxury jewellery house Hamilton & Inches.

Watch the video below for a insight into the detailed craftsmanship which has gone into the creation of the exquisite Tamdhu 50 bottle.

Leonard Russell, Managing Director of Ian Macleod Distillers, who own Tamdhu, commented, "What makes this whisky really special to us is that it represents the rebirth of the distillery. There was a time, before we bought and reopened Tamdhu, when some thought it was gone forever. This cask, which may never have been released had the distillery remained closed, can be now enjoyed and savoured, and that is something we want to celebrate.

"In the spirit of celebration, we have been working with some of the UK’s top craftspeople to create a beautiful decanter, inspired by the generations of expertise which has gone into making Tamdhu. It’s a fitting tribute to a remarkable whisky, in a very special year."

Tamdhu 50 was unveiled at a special event at Hamilton & Inches’ showroom on George Street, Edinburgh. The luxury jewellery house, established in 1866, was responsible for producing the sterling silver which adorns each decanter.

Each decanter of Tamdhu 50 Year Old is presented in a solid stained oak canister adorned with Hamilton & Inches hallmarked sterling silver. The pack design depicts Tamdhu Distillery’s location on the Spey River, its Victorian train station and exclusive sherry casks.

Tamdhu 50 Year old was bottled at cask strength 55.6% and will be available for around £16,000 from specialist online whisky retailers such as Master of Malt. There will also be a 1 litre version available in travel retail.
 

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