TAMDHU LAUNCHES TWO NEW EXCLUSIVE BOTTLINGS FOR SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL 2024
Tamdhu Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced its two latest expressions, exclusively released for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in May 2024.
In keeping with tradition, the two exclusive festival bottlings include the next chapter in the well-loved Dalbeallie series, and a specially selected Single Cask chosen by the Tamdhu Dedication Society. Both expressions will be available to purchase at the Tamdhu Distillery pop-up shop at the Dalbeallie Station on 3rd and 4th May, and offered to Dedication Society members for early access online purchase from today and to the public online from 3rd May while limited stocks last.
Dalbeallie Dram VII (£100, 61.8% ABV)
Tamdhu was born over 125 years ago, in 1897, on the banks of the River Spey. Two years later, Dalbeallie station was completed on site, bringing barley, passengers, and the finest sherry casks from Spain to Speyside. The Dalbeallie Dram series takes its name from this iconic Victorian train station, in honour of its pivotal role in shaping Tamdhu.
Tamdhu exclusively matures all its whisky in the finest Oloroso sherry casks from beginning to end, and Dalbeallie VII is no exception. Each of the 1,000 bottles available is individually numbered, bottled at batch high strength (61.8% ABV) and is non-chill filtered, retaining its natural amber colour.
On the nose, the whisky presents a bittersweet combination of vanilla, a hint of clove, raspberry jam, dark chocolate and orange peel. The first sip reveals flavours of rich demerara sugar, toffee, dark berries and toasted oak, paired with shortbread and baked fig. On the finish: a long, warming sherry note, gentle spice and lingering fruit.
Dalbeallie Dram VII will be available to purchase exclusively at the Dalbeallie Station during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and from Tamdhu’s online shop. Dalbeallie Dram VII is available for £100 per 70cl bottle. Due to very high annual demand, Dalbeallie Dram VII will be on allocation, one bottle per person this year.
Dedication Society Single Cask Vintage 2003 (£379, 55% ABV)
Tamdhu’s Dedication Society is for true whisky aficionados who appreciate the deep, rich flavour that the finest Oloroso sherry casks create. 15 members were chosen from a ballot to visit the Tamdhu Distillery in August and taste a series of carefully-selected single casks. Together, they chose our Dedication Society Single Cask for 2024, they directly influenced the outstanding flavours and characteristics of this year’s expression.
There were 4 casks, specially selected by Sandy McIntyre, Distillery Manager from our traditional dunnage warehouses to choose from. Two were American Oak and two European Oak, but after the members’ tasting the clear winner was a European Oak Butt, cask number 5986.
The aroma reveals soft ginger spice, a twist of orange, stewed fruits and caramel, with frangipane and aged oak giving depth. To taste, there are notes of dry sherry and shortbread, with subtle layers of vanilla and cola. The finish offers hints of apple, toffee, dark cherries, oak and leather, synonymous with Tamdhu’s signature sherried body.
During the festival, only 568 individually numbered bottles of the Dedication Society Single Cask Vintage 2003 will be available to purchase exclusively at Tamdhu Distillery. It will also be available from our online shop for £379 per 70cl bottle. Cask strength and natural colour.
Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager, said: “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is a yearly highlight of the Tamdhu calendar. It brings together whisky lovers across the globe to visit world-renowned distilleries and witness the stunning landscapes that Speyside has to offer.
“We’re excited to unveil two new exclusive launches for this year’s festival. The Dalbeallie Series is always a favourite with our Tamdhu family and we’re confident the seventh one will be no exception. We’re also very pleased to introduce the ultra-rare expression chosen by our Dedication Society. It’s a stunning dram which we’ll be celebrating with the society’s members themselves.”
For more information on Tamdhu see: www.tamdhu.com/our-collection
Tasting Notes
Tamdhu Dalbeallie VII
Nose
Vanilla, hint of clove, raspberry jam, shavings of dark chocolate and orange peel.
Palate
A richness of demerara sugar and toffee, mixed with shortbread, baked fig, dark berries and toasted oak.
Finish
Warming with long sherry notes, gentle spice and a lingering fruit finish.
Dedication Society Single Cask Vintage 2003
Nose
Soft ginger spice, frangipane, aged oak. With an orange twist, hint of caramel and stewed fruits.
Palate
Layered and warming notes of dry sherry and shortbread, with hints of vanilla and cola.
Finish
With a good sherried body, apple, toffee, dark cherries are met with oak and leather.
