Cardhu 12 Years Old 2013 Cask #DL 19999 (Old Particular)

This Cardhu was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 12 year old, distilled in 2013, from cask DL 19999, bottled at 58.5%, one of 274 bottles. Cardhu is a light, approachable Speyside single malt from near Knockando. The distillery was known as Cardow until 1981, when it took the name Cardhu.

It was run through the distillery's pear shaped stills on Mannoch Hill water, for the soft, sweet make Cardhu is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the body softer and creamier. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards honey, dried fruit and a soft spice. The light spirit was built for the blender's art, easy and approachable. 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.

At cask strength 58.5% it is full bodied. Apple, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is gentle and sweet, the soft spirit shining through. A smooth, honeyed finish ends on pear and vanilla. This is an easy, approachable Speyside single malt.