Cuando se trata de whisky, la paciencia tiene su recompensa. Sí, hay bastantes whiskies decentes de 10 y 12 años para degustar, pero nada iguala los profundos perfiles de sabor y los cálidos finales que solo ofrecen los whiskies envejecidos durante 18 años o más.

And it’s this time and more that is perhaps Tamdhu’s greatest asset. Time is hewn into every single level of its creation, development, maturation and finally, its long-awaited release for discerning whisky enthusiasts the world over.

Este whisky de 21 años, sin filtrado en frío, encarna la idea de que el talento no es nada sin dedicación; y este Tamdhu en particular es la dedicación personificada.

The end product is, no doubt, truly remarkable, but the whisky’s backstory begins with the mighty oaks used to make the casks which have been growing in the USA and Spain for 70 years. These are then felled and laid to dry for two years – a “seasoning” process that enhances the flavour transfer during maturation. These oaks infuse the whisky with a characterful sweetness, which is the first thing that strikes you upon a first taste of the 21 year old.

Before we get to that part, however, casks constructed of this oak are crafted in the family cooperages and bodegas of Jerez. Then, as these casks travel from Spain to the Tamdhu distillery in Speyside, the whisky is prepared for a process that shows that the journey is every bit as important, and enjoyable, as the destination. And that’s where the Tamdhu commitment to tradition and craft truly excels as the whisky is allowed to mature for slightly more than 183,960 hours (yes, that’s more than 20 years, we checked) in those Olorosso sherry casks – one of the most revered types of cask available.

It’s not just the production of the whisky that’s notable, but also the history and ethos of Tamdhu itself. Founded by a group of united entrepreneurs in 1897 on the banks of the River Spey in north-east Scotland, their vision was a simple one: to create the finest whisky in the world. With a location by the Spey sorted, and input from one of the leading distillery architects and engineers Charles C. Doig, the distillery began to use those sherry casks which would serve it so well for the next 100 years. Despite a brief cessation of distilling for two years in 2010, Tamdhu was bought under the umbrella of Ian Macleod Distillers. It continued the brand’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sourcing the finest sherry casks for its whisky.

Tamdhu de 21 años

£299.00

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Después de 21 años, ¿a qué sabe? Pues bien, incluso antes de abrirlo, lo primero que llama la atención es ese intenso color ámbar, tan característico de las expresiones que superan los 12 años de maduración para que el jerez de las barricas impregne por completo el líquido. A esto se suman el cuidado diseño del estuche y la elegancia de la botella, que evocan los motivos y el estilo decorativos españoles y moriscos que tanto han contribuido a su sabor único.

Finally, the taste – those oak trees certainly bring the sweetness of chocolate, sultanas and warm cinnamon porridge to the fore. On the palate, you’ll be served with a gradual unfolding of deep Christmas cake and raisin flavours, surrounded by candied orange and hints of that sweet oak once more. For the finish, you’ll be struck by warm spices and more syrupy waves of fruit before finally encountering those rich and enduring sherry notes once again.

El resultado es un whisky seguro de sí mismo y maduro que transmite sofisticación y un sabroso brío, demostrando que cada hora de cada día transcurrido durante las dos últimas décadas ha sido un tiempo excepcionalmente bien empleado.

Estas son las recetas de cócteles imprescindibles que todo caballero debería tener en la manga...