This yr, Speyside Scotch maker Cardhu commemorates its two hundredth anniversary. To have fun its historical past and founders, the distillery has unveiled a limited-edition expression: Cardhu two hundredth Anniversary Wine Cask Version Scotch Whisky. A 12-year-old single malt aged in former wine casks, a primary for the model, the bottle memorializes how the distillery defied traditions and pushed boundaries.
Although began by whisky smuggler John Cumming, his spouse Helen and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Cumming have been primarily liable for the distillery. Because the story goes, within the age of illicit distilling, the distillery’s location atop a hill allowed Hellen to see police coming. She would then throw flour on herself, inform the police she was baking, and provide them tea. Whereas the police drank their tea, she would fly a crimson flag outdoors to warn close by distilleries. The two hundredth anniversary bottle’s packaging depicts Helen Cumming waving the crimson flag. The intense crimson and golds of the field and bottle mimic the deep colour of the wine-cask whisky.
On the nostril, the Scotch provides aromas of recent berries and blackcurrants together with heat baked apples and icing, chocolate, and toffee. The palate options extra berries together with cinnamon, Demerara sugar, and darkish chocolate, adopted by oak spice and vanilla. The end is lengthy and heat.
“Cardhu has a historical past of pioneering girls at its forefront, one thing extraordinary when the distillery started 200 years in the past,” says Roselyn Burnett, Cardhu Distillery model house supervisor. “It took innovation and braveness to go towards the grain in the way in which the Cumming household did, and with this in our heritage it was solely proper we did one thing daring to have fun such an anniversary.”
Whereas Cardhu isn’t seen on this aspect of the pond as a lot as different Diageo manufacturers like Lagavulin or Talisker, the model provides a taste that many acknowledge—as a result of it occurs to be an necessary addition to beloved Johnnie Walker blends.
“As an ideal instance of the Speyside type of whisky, it was thrilling to work with our mixing and distilling specialists to create an tailored iteration of what individuals anticipate from our distillery, whereas perfecting the liquid to make sure it retains these traditional notes which individuals search for from Cardhu,” Burnett says.
The Cardhu two hundredth Anniversary whisky is priced at £58 (about $63) and could be bought on the distillery or from numerous retailers throughout the globe.
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