Cardhu 12 yo

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Cardhu - Speyside

2d Fill Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2005

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Cardhu 12yo is one of the very first aged single malts on the market. There are specimens dating back to the 1960s. At the time, it was 43° ABV, and it was not until the 1980s that it was reduced to 40° ABV. And it was in 2002 that Cardhu 12 Year Old was changed from Single Malt to Vatted Malt, due to a lack of stock. This, of course, caused a huge scandal, and Cardhu 12yo Pure Malt was discontinued in 2004. The following year saw the resurrection of Cardhu 12 yo Single Malt, the one we'll be tasting today.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very light, but reveals lemon zest, spicy apples, blood orange, clementines, dried raisins, old prunes, mint jelly, and a few floral fragrances, half-wilted flowers. Plywood laths. On the palate, it's even lighter and a little acidic, green apples and unripe fruits, some discreet spices, lychees, cereals. The finish is a little better, at least it's well managed, chocolate, varnished wood, warm chestnuts, creamy vanilla, a drop of honey, a pinch of salt.

 

In Short, 

This is without doubt one of the worst aged Single Malts on the market. What's more, I find it a bit acidic, I must admit I've never liked it. Even so, I think it has improved a lot with time, the finish is neater, and the impression of eating raw orange peel has diminished. Of course, I don't recommend buying this whisky, this note is only there to prepare you psychologically to drink a dram at your brother-in-law's, or any other person who knows absolutely nothing about whisky, but who still has a Single Malt.

Score : 80 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

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