Cardhu
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Cardhu 14 Years - Diageo Special Release 2021 - The Scarlet Blossoms of Black Rock
Cardhu
In the heart of Scotland’s Speyside region lies a distillery with a rich history and a distinctive, refined taste: Cardhu. This whisky, known for its smooth and approachable character, has been a favourite among whisky lovers worldwide for centuries. Cardhu not only has a status within the world of single malts, but also plays an important role in the composition of some of the most famous blended whiskies, including Johnnie Walker.
Cardhu whisky has a honeyed sweetness, fruity notes and a subtle hint of smoke. Whether you are an experienced whisky drinker or just starting to discover single malts, Cardhu whisky knows how to surprise.
The history of Cardhu
In 1824, John and Helen Cumming founded the Cardhu distillery in the Speyside countryside. Helen Cumming played an important role in the early days of the distillery and is known as one of the first female distillers in Scotland. Her determination and entrepreneurial spirit helped Cardhu grow into a big name in the whisky world.
In its early years, Cardhu was a small-scale farm distillery, but the whisky produced here was soon known for its exceptional quality. In 1885, Helen’s daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Cumming, completely rebuilt the distillery, increasing its production capacity and laying the foundation for the modern Cardhu distillery.
Cardhu’s popularity continued to grow and in 1893, the distillery was acquired by John Walker & Sons, giving Cardhu a prominent role in the production of the world-famous Johnnie Walker blends. Despite this takeover, Cardhu retained its own identity as an excellent Speyside single malt whisky. Today, Cardhu remains true to its heritage, producing whisky that has maintained its smooth and approachable character through generations.
Cardhu’s production process
Cardhu is all about craftsmanship and tradition. The Speyside distillery combines age-old methods with modern techniques to create a whisky that is both accessible and refined. The production process starts with pure spring water from the Mannoch Hills, known for its soft and clear properties.
The carefully selected Scottish barley is malted and fermented in traditional wooden washbacks, which enhances the fruity and honeyed notes. A unique feature of Cardhu is the use of medium-sized copper pot stills with slender necks. These ensure a slow distillation process, giving the whisky a lighter whisky structure.
After distillation, the whisky matures for years in carefully selected American oak casks, which add notes of vanilla, caramel, and subtle spices. The slow maturation creates a perfectly balanced flavour. Finally, the whisky is bottled without excessive filtering to preserve its rich flavour. This artisanal process makes Cardhu a smooth, accessible, and refined whisky, loved by both connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
The flavour profiles of Cardhu whisky
Cardhu whiskies are known for their smooth and balanced flavour , making them accessible to both beginners and seasoned whisky enthusiasts. What sets Cardhu apart is the combination of sweet, fruity notes and a subtle hint of smoke.
A good example of Cardhu’s versatility is the Cardhu 14 Years – Diageo Special Release 2021 – The Scarlet Blossoms of Black Rock.. This particular whisky has matured in refill American oak casks and undergone a finish in red wine casks. This creates a unique flavour development that differs from classic Cardhu whiskies.
On opening the bottle, aromas of white grapes, lychee, green apple, pear and orange are released, accompanied by a subtle spiciness. The taste offers a rich mix of toffee, violets, red apple and oak, with a warm, spicy finish that highlights white pepper and green apple. Due to its maturation in wine casks, this Cardhu edition gains an extra layer of complexity and fruitiness, setting it apart from other whiskies within the brand.
Why choose Cardhu?
Cardhu is a whisky that combines craftsmanship, tradition, and accessibility. Whether you are a novice whisky drinker or a seasoned enthusiast, Cardhu offers a unique experience that is both refined and versatile.
One of Cardhu’s defining characteristics is its balance between sweetness, fruitiness, and a subtle hint of smoke. Unlike some more powerful single malts, Cardhu is known for its smooth and approachable character.
In addition, Cardhu has a rich heritage and plays an important role in the Scottish whisky world. Founded in 1824, the distillery has built a reputation for producing high-quality whiskies. Moreover, Cardhu is a key component of Johnnie Walker blends, further emphasising the influence and quality of this single malt. With its rich history, refined flavour profile, and diverse selection, Cardhu is a whisky that always leaves an impression.
Do you have any questions about our Cardhu whiskies? Feel free to contact us.
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