Cardhu 15 Years Old

Cardhu from the distillery, a 15 year old, at 40%. Cardhu is a Speyside distillery near Knockando, founded in 1824 and the spiritual home 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, building the smooth Cardhu style. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth. The light spirit was built for the blender's art, easy and approachable. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The soft, sweet spirit takes cask flavour gently while keeping its pear and honey. It runs three wash and three spirit stills, all of a pear shape. The Cumming family ran it for three generations before it passed to the Walkers.

At an approachable 40% it is soft and easy. Soft pear, apple and a gentle honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is gentle and sweet, the soft spirit shining through. The finish runs gentle, fruity and easy. This is the women built malt of Speyside.