Tamdhu

Located in Speyside near the town of Knockando, Tamdhu is a distillery that has become something of a favourite among sherry cask enthusiasts. Known for producing rich, full-bodied single malts, Tamdhu showcases the influence of high-quality sherry casks and careful maturation.

As Vic Cameron puts it, Tamdhu is “my favourite distillery and favourite whisky at the moment… the whisky is just fantastic.” His enthusiasm reflects a growing appreciation for the distillery, which combines a bold new make spirit with expert cask selection to create approachable yet complex whiskies.

A Brief History

Founded in 1897, Tamdhu has long been a Speyside stalwart, though it has flown under the radar compared with some of the region’s more famous names. Today, it is owned by Whyte & Mackay, who have invested in the distillery and helped elevate its single malt profile. All Tamdhu expressions are matured exclusively in first-fill sherry casks, with both American oak (Quercus alba) and European oak playing key roles in shaping the whisky’s character.

The EWA Advanced Diploma 2025 group with Distillery Manager Sandy McIntyre at Tamdhu.

Tamdhu has also been extremely welcoming to EWA, with Sandy McIntyre, Distillery Manager, allowing filming and student visits. At the Advanced Diploma in 2025, for example, our group enjoyed an unforgettable activity led by teacher Gordon Steele, sampling new make spirit from across the distillation run, such good fun!

House Style

Tamdhu’s house style is sherry-led, sweet and complex. Vic explains that the use of American oak in some expressions brings “a sweetness, more vanilla and less spice than their European oak,” while still offering the dried fruit and woody notes typical of sherry-rich whiskies. The combination of a bold new make and carefully chosen casks produces a spirit that is both approachable for new whisky drinkers and satisfying for connoisseurs.

Core Range & Availability

Tamdhu’s core range now starts at 12 years old, with 15- and 18-year-old expressions, alongside special cask-focused releases such as the Distinction range. Vic recommends beginners start with the 12-year-old, then explore the Distinction expressions to appreciate the nuances of American versus European oak: “Start with the twelve… then maybe try some of the distinction range, just American or just European, and explore the differences of that cask.”

Tamdhu stands as a fantastic example of a sherry-cask Speyside malt, offering sweet, complex, and highly enjoyable whisky for enthusiasts at every stage of their journey.