Today I am trying something from a distillery I have never tried before. I am trying the Cardhu 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Cardhu distillery is a Speyside distillery located in Moray. It is part of the Diageo stable and has a long history of female whisky involvement.
The Cardhu distillery has an interesting story. Helen and her husband John Cumming had a farm at Cardow in the late 18th century. Helen was well known for distilling whisky that she sold from her kitchen window.
She used to keep an eye out for any approaching excise officers and warn farmers in the neighbourhood by hoisting a red flag. When the Excise Act of 1823 changed, the Cummings could afford to buy a distilling license and founded the Cardow distillery.
In 1872 the family business expanded and they built a new Cardhu distillery on an adjoining piece of land. It was run by Elizabeth Cumming, Helen’s daughter-in-law. This new distillery had a more significant output and the whisky from Cardhu became an essential part of the Johnnie Walker whisky blends.
In 1893 when Elizabeth Cumming sold the distillery to Johnnie Walker, it was under the condition that the Cumming family held shares in Walker’s company. This shareholding turned into an excellent investment.
Today other single malt releases in the range include the Cardhu 15 year old, the Cardhu 18 year old, and the Cardhu Amber Rock. The word Cardhu comes from the Gaelic “Carn Dubh,” which means “black rock.”
The shape of the Cardhu bottle is unique with its rectangular shape and the oversized closure. Cardhu has a significant presence in Spain and France but is known worldwide. The Cardhu 12 year old single malt whisky is widely available in South Africa, and the retail price is around R500.
Also Read: Glenfiddich XX whisky
REGION: Speyside
ABV: 43%
COLOUR: Rich Gold
NOSE: Honey sweetness, malt, fruits with hints of vanilla. A soft, smooth nose that hints at a great experience.
PALATE: Toasted dry oak, ripe pears, honey, toffee apples and pepper with faint hints of vanilla. Medium body but nicely balanced and smooth.
FINISH: The Cardhu 12 year old has a dry oak with honey and pepper finish.
RATING: EXCELLENT
What a lovely, drinkable, affordable dram. Can’t believe I have not tried this before. This bottle will not last very long. The Cardhu 12 year old is not the most complex whisky, but it is soft and delicate without being a wallflower. It has a presence without being overbearing. The smooth and delicious notes would work wonderfully with food.
The Cardhu 12 year old whisky will compliment a piece of perfectly grilled steak nicely. According to research, it is also magic when paired with a strawberry flavoured chocolate; something I will have to try soon.
I paired this Speyside whisky with some Swiss Appenzeller cheese for World Whisky Day. Following the link to see my thoughts on this whisky and cheese pairing.
Also Read: Dalwhinnie 15 yo Whisky
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