Cardhu Limited Edition

Cardhu from the distillery, at 48%, 1800 bottles in all. Cardhu has made its soft Speyside malt above the Spey since 1824. Its soft, sweet make was built for easy drinking and for the heart of a blend.

Distilled from unpeated malt in pear shaped copper stills, building the smooth Cardhu style. A bourbon barrel held it, lending vanilla and a little cream. Carrying no age, soft vanillin (vanilla) and a honeyed pear suggest a fair spell in cask. Cardhu's softness is what made it the heart of Johnnie Walker. It was rebuilt and expanded by Elizabeth Cumming, the Queen of the Whisky Trade, who sold it to John Walker and Sons in 1893. Most of its make goes into Johnnie Walker, with a little bottled as single malt. A 2003 plan to sell a vatted malt under the Cardhu name caused an industry outcry, and was reversed. The light spirit was built for the blender's art, easy and approachable.

At a natural 48% it is full and honeyed. A smooth, sweet fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out the finish. This is an easy, approachable Speyside single malt.