Cardhu 2008 11 Year Old Whisky Special Releases 2020 56%

Cardhu 2008 11 Year Old Special Releases 2020 56%

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: Mellow in feel, with light prickle. A hint of new wood pencil cases introduces freshly juicy, fruity top notes of green apple, green grape and pineapple, which gradually come together with a trace of lemon peel as a sweet fresh fruit salad, on a faintly mossy base. A drop of water adds a further juicy note of boiled fruit sweets.

Palate: At natural strength, a creamy-smooth texture and a sweet then juicy taste with traces of fondant mid-palate; deliciously buttery, hot and spicy, recalling toasted hot-cross buns. Slightly sweeter at reduced strength and buttery-soft, with enhancedpepper. Drying lightly overall.

Finish: Quite long, with some white pepper for a lingering warmth.

Cardu is an attractive Speyside distillery sited on the banks of the river Spey near Archiestown, Moray in Scotland. The distillery was founded by John and Helen Cummings in 1811 and production became legal in 1824. After John Cummings passed away in 1846 his wife Helen then took sole charge. Their daughter Elizabeth eventually followed in their footsteps to run and rebuilt the distillery until it was bought in the late 1800’s by John Walker and son. Then in 1930 Cardhu was sold to Distillers Company Ltd. A statue of Helen outside the distillery installed by current owners Diageo pays homage to all her efforts.  
The majority of Cardhu whisky is used in the famous Johnnie Walker blend and a much smaller proportion is sold as Cardhu single malt. Interestingly to keep up with such high demand for its own whisky Cardhu ‘Pure Malt’ was created which was a vatting of single malts from both Cardhu and other distilleries. In 2004 the making of ‘Pure Malt’ ceased and a year later a 12 year old Cardhu was brought to market instead. There is a great core range consisting of three age statements and one none age statement. There are also various popular limited releases appearing to look out for.