Tamdhu Distillery, established in 1897, has played a significant role as a supplier of whisky for well-known blends like The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, and Dunhill. Although it has had a few official single malt releases, such as a light-bodied 10-year-old, it was primarily known for its contribution to blended whisky, particularly its fragrant fruitiness with honey and apple notes, as well as a sufficient weight to age in ex-Sherry casks.
The distillery was founded by a group of blenders, including William Grant, the founder of Glenfiddich, with the famous architect Charles Doig designing it. Its efficiency and design made it one of the most well-regarded distilleries of its era. After being acquired by Highland Distillers (now part of Edrington) in 1899, Tamdhu experienced a rocky period, closing in 1927 and remaining silent for two decades. When it reopened, the distillery upgraded its malting facilities by replacing floor malting with Saladin boxes and became the last distillery in Scotland to malt all its own barley. Additionally, it supplied malt to other distilleries, including Glenrothes and the unpeated component of Highland Park.
Tamdhu’s expansion in the 1970s included the addition of four new stills, and in the 1990s, the distillery shifted to exclusively using Edrington’s bespoke ex-Sherry casks for maturation. Despite its success, the distillery was mothballed in 2010 by Edrington but was later revived in 2012 when Ian MacLeod purchased it. Since then, the distillery has undergone significant upgrades, including the installation of new washbacks, the construction of new warehouses, and the opening of a visitor center at the old Dalbeallie station. Tamdhu has reintroduced a 100% Sherried 10-year-old expression, and older releases are planned for the future, marking a promising new chapter for this historic distillery.
