40°
Distillery : Cardhu - Speyside
Red Wine Barrels
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2023
Totally Unpeated
The distillery was officially founded in 1824 by John and Helen Cumming, and Helen became the first known woman to run a Scottish distillery when her husband died. But in truth, the distillery existed long before that date, except that it was illegal. It was only in 1824 that it obtained an official licence to operate. This bottling was launched to celebrate the distillery's 200th anniversary, even though it was founded around 1810. What's more, the bottling was released at the end of 2023, so go figure. This whole 200th anniversary thing is confusing. Here, the whisky has been aged entirely in red wine casks, which is both worrying and appealing.
Let's Taste It :
The wine brings a coppery tone, with exotic spices, cinnamon and saffron, pulpy yellow fruit, a pleasant and rough woodiness, a few mentholated touches, candied ginger, caramelised apples, brown tobacco, forest undergrowth. On the palate, it's a little oily but very watery, yet there are hints of lychee, vanilla, candied orange peel and a few more peppery spices. White peaches. Fairly long finish, but nothing exceptional, dark chocolate, slight woody bitterness, dried red fruit, goji seeds, cherries. Coffee grounds, damp clods of earth.
In Short,
The influence of the wine is not too strong, adding flavour and character to this usually very light distillate. On the palate, however, there's a lot of water, which is a shame. On the whole, it's passable. I've heard that this product can be found in some supermarkets at a very modest price, so fans of the profile can give it a try.
Score : 83
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Algor Mortis - Belonging Somewhere
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