Region: Speyside

Location: Knockando, Aberlour, Morayshire

Status: To be mothballed Apr. 2010 (owned by 1887 Co. - Edrington)

General whisky characteristics: Fresh, clean nose, big and floral, sometimes maritime.

More great distillery info here, thanks to Malt Madness

Distillery photos by kind permission of Teun van Wel

Independent Bottlers

G&M, 'The Macphail's Collection' Tamdhu, 8y, 40% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Freshly caught shellfish on an Atlantic beach, then served with ripe green apples.

Palate: Much bigger and more solid than the nose suggests. Liquorice and light ginger toffee.

Finish: Medium to long.

Overall Impression: A very maritime nose turns into a rather quick, but solid dram filled with promise. I originally said this was short, but it must have been my palate on the night as on my second tasting (on a different evening) the finish was delightful and the whisky pleasantly complex. Excellent!

Whisky & Chocolate: Sur del Lago by Domori (supplied by Franz) Wow, individualy both the chocolate and whisky were excellent, but together something quite magical happened; A soft, rounded experience with the best traits of each component, but suddenly appearing as one. I think the 'magical' element here was the very slight coffee flavour of the Sur del Lago. If you can find this chocolate you must try it with this Tamdhu!

Duncan Taylor, 'Auld' Tamdhu, distilled 1969, bottled 2004, 34y,  40% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Very intense and floral, green apples and car polish.

Palate: Perfumed, floral liquorice with apple, violets and dry, fino sherry.

Finish: Medium to long and very floral.

Overall Impression: A really very good whisky, don't let my 'car polish' put you off, this is very good. Pour me another!