Cardhu 14 Years Old (55.5%)

An official release of Cardhu, a 14 year old, from 2006, at 55.5%. Cardhu is the heart malt of the Johnnie Walker blends, made in the hills of Speyside since 1824. Its soft, sweet make was built for easy drinking and for the heart of a blend.

It was drawn off three pairs of pear shaped stills, for an easy, approachable spirit. A red wine cask lent berry fruit and a dry spice. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, pear deepening to honey. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey to the fore. Cardhu is one of the most famous of the women built distilleries of Speyside. Its malt has been the heart of the Johnnie Walker blends ever since. The pear shaped stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the Cardhu warehouses. Water comes from springs on Mannoch Hill and the Lyne Burn.

At 55.5%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Honey, pear and a touch of nut, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. A long, honeyed finish carries an orchard fruit. This is a light, honeyed Speyside single malt.