Tamdhu celebrates with oldest ever expression

Ian Macleod Distillers brand Tamdhu, has revealed its oldest bottling, Tamdhu 50 Years Old, to celebrate the distillery's 120th anniversary.

Matured in a first fill European oak sherry butt for five decades, just 100 bottles of Tamdhu 50 Years Old will be made available globally. This single cask release will retail at £16,000 per bottle.

This rare whisky is presented in a decanter, created by a team of traditional British craftsmen and women including glass designer Katy Holford, crystal experts Royal Brierley, and the silversmiths at luxury jewellery house Hamilton & Inches.

Leonard Russell, managing director of Ian Macleod Distillers, comments: “120 years of expertise and 50 years of maturation in an extraordinary sherry oak cask have gone into making Tamdhu 50 Year Old, and we are delighted to be able to share it with the world.

“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 an event at Hamilton & Inches’ showroom on George Street, Edinburgh. The jewellery house, established in 1866, was responsible for producing the sterling silver which adorns each decanter.

Stephen Paterson, chief executive of Hamilton & Inches, comments: "Hamilton & Inches are proud to collaborate with Tamdhu for their special 50 Year Old release. Our award-winning silversmiths have given their devotion to the artistry of the bottling, and are thrilled to have brought Hamilton & Inches’ 150 years of experience in silverwork to this partnership.

"Our iconic Georgian showroom in the heart of Edinburgh is the perfect setting for showcasing this wonderful whisky release, and for celebrating the craftsmanship involved."

Each decanter of Tamdhu 50 Years Old is presented in a solid stained oak cannister 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.

29 March 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor