Cardhu 11 Years Old

Cardhu from the distillery, an 11 year old, at 56%. Cardhu is the gentle, honeyed Speyside malt at the centre of Johnnie Walker. Its soft, sweet make was built for easy drinking and for the heart of a blend.

It was made in copper stills on spring water from Mannoch Hill, giving the light, honeyed Speyside spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, pear deepening to honey. Years in oak round the spirit, the apple and pear deepening to honey. A gentle maturation suits the soft make, the fruit growing richer with time. The Cumming family ran it for three generations before it passed to the Walkers. Its malt has been the heart of the Johnnie Walker blends ever since. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft, sweet spirit.

At cask strength 56% it is full bodied. Soft pear, apple and a gentle honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run apple, pear and a soft honey. The close is soft, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a smooth Speyside single malt from near Knockando.