Cardhu 14 Year Old, Diageo Special Release 2019

This year’s eight limited-edition cask strength whiskies selected master blender Dr. Craig Wilson form a unique collection from some of Scotland's most renowned distilleries.

Unique in its own way – distinctive maturation casks, rare finishes, unexpected taste profiles – every expression brings to life each distillery’s character, through beautifully dramatised illustrations of the wildlife and flora surrounding the distilleries.

APPEARANCE: Deep gold with copper lights. Good beading.

NOSE: A mild nose-feel, dry, soft and gentle, with a richly fruity initial aroma; orchard pears, peaches and cherries in syrup, a trace of banana. As it opens the nose becomes fragrant and floral, with perhaps a hint of lily of the valley,and a suggestion of vanilla cream. A drop of water closes it down somewhat, but brings out more sugary fruitiness.

BODY: Medium.

PALATE: At natural strength, smoothly creamy in texture, while the fruity taste is immediately sugar-sweet, as with soft fudge. There’s a trace of perfume in mid-palate then hot and spicy notes build towards the finish. Drying overall. With water, sweetness is again the first impression, while a trace of salt heralds the return of the spiciness in the development.

FINISH: Spicy, with a lingering, embracing warmth. With water, smoother but still spicy, with a pleasant dryness lingering on the tongue.