Cardhu 10 Years Old 2013 Cask #DL 18175 (Old Particular)

A 10 year old Cardhu from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, distilled in 2013, from cask DL 18175, bottled at 48.4%, one of 367 bottles. Cardhu is a soft, sweet Speyside single malt distilled near Archiestown since 1824. Its soft, sweet make was built for easy drinking and for the heart of a blend.

The spirit was run through the distillery's pear shaped stills on Mannoch Hill water, for the soft, sweet make Cardhu is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the soft, fruity spirit growing rounder. The pear shaped stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Its malt has been the heart of the Johnnie Walker blends ever since. Most of its make goes into Johnnie Walker, with a little bottled as single malt.

At a hearty 48.4% it carries real weight. Honey, pear and a touch of nut, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The finish is soft, sweet and gently fruity. This is the women built malt of Speyside.