Following Friday’s exploration of two vintage Aberlour-Glenlivet miniatures, the focus now shifts to a pair of Tamdhu miniatures from the 1970s: an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. Today, Tamdhu emphasises sherry cask maturation, yet despite tasting several over recent years, the distillery has not appeared on More Drams until now. Admittedly, there is no Tamdhu bottle in my collection, nor have I acquired multiple samples for review or exploration. Until that changes, these two auction-acquired miniatures provide the opportunity to delve into Tamdhu’s old style and character.
Tamdhu Distillery
Tamdhu distillery stands on the banks of the Knockando Burn, shaped by more than a century of whisky ambition and resilience. Established in 1896 by a consortium of blenders led by William Grant, it filled its first casks in July 1897. Financial hurdles quickly shifted Tamdhu into the hands of Highland Distillers in 1899, tying it to a network that fuelled its output for blends such as The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.
The early 20th century tested Tamdhu’s resolve. The distillery saw closures from 1911 to 1913 and again from 1928 to 1947 – resulting from industry downturns and the Second World War. After returning to full production in 1948, Tamdhu shifted to modernity. By 1950, it replaced traditional floor maltings with Saladin boxes, which endured into the new millennium and supplied malt to numerous Highland Distillers sites.
The 1970s brought major investment, ramping up stills from two to six and launching Tamdhu’s first single malt bottling in 1976. Despite periods of quiet success, Tamdhu closed again in 2010 under the Edrington Group (successor to Highland Distillers). A year later, Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the site, reviving production in 2013 and reorienting the whisky towards sherry cask maturation and single malt releases.
Today, Tamdhu maintains a robust annual output – over four million litres – using three wash stills and three spirit stills. Its enduring story reflects a pattern common across Speyside: railway-driven expansion, industry consolidation, wartime silence, post-war innovation, and, ultimately, a renewed commitment to single malt character under modern leadership.
Tamdhu 8-Year-Old (1970s) Review
We begin with an old Tamdhu 8-year-old, bottled at 70 proof (40% ABV) in the 1970s. The whisky features a brown label with clear 1970s styling and comes with a screw cap. Auction sites and vendors such as Lochs of Whisky offer bottles – sometimes at a considerable premium, with one listed for £400. Let’s see whether this whisky justifies such a price.
Colour:
Chestnut
Nose:
Neat: Sultanas lead, with touches of pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, adding spice. Caramel and a light smoke come through, and after a while, pears, apples, apricots, and mangoes add some fruitiness. Milk chocolate and leather as well.
Palate:
Neat: Caramel and milk chocolate open the palate, followed by very gentle peat. Spices, mainly pepper with some nutmeg and curcuma, join in. The syrupy mouthfeel feels slightly bolder than expected from the 70 proof. Burnt brown sugar stands out, accompanied by hints of Jaffa cakes and a touch of menthol.
Finish:
Wood and herbs arrive on the finish, together with lingering pepper and caramel. Tabasco and dark coffee emerge as well. The finish lasts long, with the spice persisting most of all.
Comments:
This Tamdhu 8-year-old is from another era that impresses once again. I find it more interesting than the current 12-year-old, as far as my memory serves. Despite the modest 40% ABV, this whisky has endured almost 50 years in the bottle without losing any of its strength or character. It remains vibrant and powerful.
Rating: 7.5/10
Tamdhu 10-year-old (late 1970s/early 1980s) Review
This next whisky is a Tamdhu 10-year-old, bottled in the late 1970s or possibly early 1980s. My miniature bottle states 70 proof but does not list ABV in percentage terms, so it likely dates from the late 1970s. The label matches the design shown below, clearly featuring the Tamdhu emblem. Like the 8-year-old, details about its maturation remain scarce. Collectors can find bottles at Passion for Whisky in the Netherlands for around €200 or at The Whisky Exchange in the UK for approximately £275. Alternatively, you might secure a better price at auction if such a bottle appears.
Colour:
Chestnut.
Nose:
Neat: The nose offers sultanas, dried figs, plums, mangoes, and oranges. Despite the low ABV, a slight sharpness of alcohol appears. Subtle hints of milk chocolate, leather, herbs, and flowers come through, along with custard and a light lactic note. Butterscotch, fudge, and acacia honey add further sweetness.
Palate:
Neat: The palate reflects the nose but with more intensity. It delivers a lovely creamy mouthfeel. Spices emerge, predominantly pepper with a hint of jalapeño. There is a touch of wood bitterness and very light smoke. Tangerines and orange marmalade add citrus brightness.
Finish:
The finish carries lingering orange notes and gentle pepperiness, with some herbs, caramel, and chocolate. It leaves a pleasant warmth mostly on the sides of the tongue. After some time, a drying sensation develops on the cheeks.
Comments:
The caramel takes a less dominant role than in the 8-year-old, making room for fruits, spices, and added complexity. This old Tamdhu 10-year-old proves thoroughly enjoyable, and I’m quite glad to have a backup miniature of it.