Cardhu 12 yo Wine Cask Matured 200 Anniversary Limited Edition

 

 

 

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

Cardhu 15 yo The Cummings of Cardhu

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Cardhu - Speyside

Bourbon and Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2013

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Cardhu 15yo appeared in 2011, at the same time as the 18yo, but the subtitle The Cummings of Cardhu, in tribute to the family who founded the distillery, appeared a little later, in 2013. The recipe certainly didn't change though. It's reduced to the max, chill-filtered and coloured, but don't despair, it's still whisky.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy, spring-fresh nose with mustard seeds, quince jelly and rose loukoums. Light vanilla, soft brioche, lemon zest and baked apples. Wood varnish, heather, caramel and dark chocolate. On the palate, yoghurt, or rather fresh cream, mixed with honey, macadamia nuts, dried raisins, bitter oranges, vanilla extract, decent spices, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg. Finish not very long, but acceptable, grainy cereals, dry hay, wood shavings, oak bark, fresh walnuts, cola.

 

In Short, 

Honestly, I expected worse. I found it just as good as the 18yo, which I tasted for the second time immediately afterwards, and it even seemed a little more appealing. Nevertheless, it's still far too expensive for what it is, sold at the price of a normal 15yo even though it's low quality.

Score : 84  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Waxahatchee - Where's your love now

Cardhu 18 yo The Cummings of Cardhu

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Cardhu - Speyside

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2013

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This represents the top of the distillery's Core Range. It has more of a Sherry character than the 12-year-old, which is mainly aged in Bourbon barrels. It appeared in 2011 but the subtitle The Cummings of Cardhu appeared two years later, in remembrance of the Cumming family, who founded the distillery. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very unexpressive, timid nose, egg custard, discreet cereals, vanilla cream, rye bread, sultanas, woody and slightly damp leather. Orange marmalade, runny toffee. A hint of blackcurrant. On the palate, it seems a little better, but it's still light. It's velvety, chocolate milk, watery pears, candied quinces, barely perceptible spices. Average finish, malted cereals, dried biscuits, raisins and lemon, chocolate chips, hazelnuts, cloves, ginger. Tobacco bits. Waxed wood. 

In Short, 

It's very disappointing considering the age. It's not bad in itself, it's just that it's very closed. Typical of a whisky that you barely taste. Harmless. Transparent. I had a hell of a time writing the tasting note, I couldn't think of anything to say. What's more, they put it at the same price as an 18 year old with personality.

Score : 84

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cynthia Ruth - Good Years

Cardhu 12 yo The Cummings of Cardhu

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Cardhu - Speyside

2d Fill Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2013

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, and the subtitle The Cummings of Cardhu, after the name of the founders of the distillery, appeared in 2013.

 

 

 

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 :

 

                                           Madonna - Like a Virgin

Cardhu Amber Rock

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Cardhu - Speyside

Bourbon Seasoned American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2014

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Cardhu is probably the most used distillery in the Johnnie Walker Blend. Only 25% of production is devoted to Single Malts. And until now, these have always been aged. But for the last ten years, this Amber Rock has added a non-aged option to the range. It has spent time in toasted casks, which adds a little flavour to the product. Given that it's cold-filtered and coloured, it really needs it.

Let's Taste It : 

Light woodiness, soft caramel, dried apricots, peaches and green apples, autumnal freshness, forest undergrowth. Pears in syrup, hints of vanilla and a few cereals, toasted wheat. Honey and barley sugar. It's soft and delicate on the palate, with orchard fruits, Granny Smith, Conference, and even a few vegetables, grilled aubergines, butternut. Mild spices, cloves. Milk chocolate and marshmallow. Light finish, but quite long and smooth. Molasses, a touch of acidity, various citrus fruits, dry bark.

 

In Short, 

It's reasonably well made, although very light. The quality of the casks compensates for the shortcomings of the young, cold-filtered distillate. There's flavour, and even a little indulgence. I have to say that Cardhu is probably my least favourite distillery, at least in Scotland. But I have to admit that I enjoyed this one. However, the price is still high for what it is.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cassandra Jenkins - Hard Drive