55.5% abv
Official NOSE
The mild nose is fresh and lightly fruity, as gentle aromas of white grape and lychee frolic with sharper hints of green apple, pear and a trace of orange zest, all enrobed by a hint of buttery pastry. Rising above these, a light spicy note reveals more of the wine-seasoned wood. A drop of water introduces a light note of meadow flowers, which become distinctly honeyed with time.
PALATE
A soft, creamy-smooth and quite full texture, the sweet taste suggesting home-made toffees. Soon, that taste becomes more fragrant and hints of Parma violets, a note further enriched by winey red apple and pear fruit and made more appetising still by crisp, clean oak. A dash of water softens it to a delightful creamy-sweet freshness, leaving just a hint of spice.
FINISH
Short, sweet, clean and warming, with lingering perfume in the aftertaste. With water smoother still, as a warming pinch of white pepper appears, while there is a final burst of green apple in the aftertaste.
Cardhu is one of Diageo's best-selling single malts and is also a major component of the Johnnie Walker family of blends.
The distillery is found close to the River Spey in the shadow of Mannoch Hill. First licensed by John Cumming in 1824, it was passed on to his son, Lewis, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, following his death in 1846. Elizabeth took over in 1872 after her husbands death.
Elizabeth rebuilt Cardhu in 1884 and, in 1893, John Walker and Sons bought it for £20,500.
