70 cl. 40% vol.

GIFT BOX.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE
John and Helen Cumming first began illicit distilling in 1811. They were so successful, that in 1824 the distillery was licensed and named Cardhu. Cardhu is special. The distillery was successfully run by two generations of women- Helen and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth, who took over the running of Cardhu following the death of her husband Lewis. Both Helen and Elizabeth made Cardhu the whisky we know today, refining its flavour and character to produce an effortless, elegant, generous spirit, born of hard work and determination.

The origins of Cardhu trace back to 1811 when John Cumming and his wife Helen took over the lease of Cardhu farm. Like many of their farming neighbours, they took to illicit distilling, with Helen Cumming cleverly outwitting excise men by inviting them into her home, disguising the fermenting as baking, then slipping outside to alert her fellow distillers by flying a red flag.

John Cumming obtained a distillery licence, marking the official founding of Cardhu in 1824. In the years that followed, Cardhu very much became a family business, with all their sons all having a part to play in the business. Elizabeth Cumming resolved to keep the running of the business after the death of her husband, the Cumming's eldest son, in 1872.

In 1893, Elizabeth sold the business to John Walker & Sons with the one condition that the family would still run the distillery. Before her death, Elizabeth had cottages with running water built for employees at the distillery, ensuring Cardhu remained at the heart of the community and keeping her mother-in-law’s legacy alive.

Cardhu is now one of the world’s leading single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in one of the first legal distilleries on Speyside.

The brand’s most renowned expression is Cardhu 12-year-old with its rich, smooth, honeyed fruity flavours and light spiciness. Other variants are available for different styles and tastes.

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An elegant Cardhu that takes time to reveal its delicate, fruity and rich character, repaying a little thoughtful contemplation. With its fruit cake, almonds and tropical fruit flavours, this 15 Year Old Cardhu shines best when served neat. Cardhu comes from one of the oldest of the Speyside distilleries, which have nestled in foothills near the River Spey for 200 years and the Cardhu range is an excellent representation of these Speyside whiskies. Known for its smooth, sweet-natured single malt whisky, the history of Cardhu’s rise to fame is to a large part told in the story of two determined women who were members of the founding family.

Serving Suggestion: With its fruit cake, almonds and tropical fruit flavours, this 15 Year Old Cardhu shines best when served neat
APPEARANCE
Deep old gold.

BODY
Light on the palate, with a medium body.

NOSE
Slow to give of its secrets, with mere hints of a fruity richness and spicy complexity to come. A swirl of the glass releases enticing, clean vanilla notes and tropical fruit. Soon, the fruits are dried (light fruit cake with flaked almonds). Adding water brings out typical Speyside character, and makes the nose slightly more acidic. Late on, at last, greater depth and complexity: sweet, spicy and rich, finishing with dense toffee and toasted coconut.

PALATE
Slow to venture forth and quite viscous straight. Cooling, then peppery and lightly charred. Growing richer, still sweet, but now with toffee and chocolate; burnt sugar on a Crème Brûlée. With water, less viscous and sweeter with almost no acidity; very pleasant and easy to drink.

FINISH
Smooth, light and slightly drying, with attractive bitter chocolate notes. Not overly long, with a hint of faint smoke at the end.