Cardhu 15 Year Old

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.

Tasting notes:
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 Creme Brulee. 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.