Cardhu 18 Years Old (40%)

An 18 year old Cardhu, a distillery bottling, at 40%. Cardhu, owned by Diageo, is the malt that gave Johnnie Walker its heart. A 2003 plan to sell a vatted malt under the Cardhu name caused an industry outcry, and was reversed.

It was made in copper stills on spring water from Mannoch Hill, giving the light, honeyed Speyside spirit. A sherry cask wrapped the soft spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, pear and apple turning honeyed over a soft body. Maturation in the gentle Speyside climate keeps the spirit smooth and honeyed. The light spirit was built for the blender's art, easy and approachable. Its soft, sweet make was built for easy drinking and for the heart of a blend. Most of its make goes into Johnnie Walker, with a little bottled as single malt. The pear shaped stills give a light spirit that ages with grace.

At 40% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Baked apple, honey and cream, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is smooth, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. A smooth, honeyed finish ends on pear and vanilla. This is the soft, sweet Speyside malt at the heart of Johnnie Walker.