Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 58%
A cask strength 16-year-old Cardhu released as part of Diageo's 2022 Special Releases. Cardhu of course is a key ingredient in the Johnnie Walker blend recipe and the standard official 12-year-old is one of the world's best-selling single malt whiskies, so it's great to see an older cask strength edition.
This 2022 Special Releases Cardhu 16-year-old started life in refill and recharred American oak casks before what sounds like a very promising finish in casks that were seasoned with a Jamaican pot still rum, so we can expect a layer of extra funky sweet fruit flavours.
Bottled at its natural full cask strength of 58%, this 16-year-old Cardhu has been subtitled The Hidden Paradise of Black Rock which sounds like marketing gibberish but does in fact relate to the Cardhu name, which is a contraction of the Gaelic carraig dhu, meaning 'black rock'.
Attributes
| Distillery |
Cardhu |
| Bottler |
Distillery |
| Series |
Special Releases 2022 |
| Country | Scotland |
| Region | Speyside |
| Bottling Year | 2022 |
| Age | 16 |
| Limited Edition | Yes |
| Cask Type | Refill and re-charred American Oak, finished in Jamaican Pot Still Rum-seasoned casks |
| Bottle Size | 70cl |
| ABV | 58% |
| Pre-Owned |
No |
Tasting Notes
Official Tasting Notes
Appearance: Clear gold.
Nose: Beguiling first impressions begin with the fresh, sweet fruitiness of lemon zest and white grape enriched by exotic notes of pink grapefruit and ripe mango, all on a faintly mossy base, a note that evolves into freshly ironed linen. A notably spicy and woody note soars high above. A drop of water dries these aromas and introduces a pinch of white pepper.
Body: Light to medium.
Palate: A creamy-smooth and full texture, the taste erupting with sweet flavour. Tingling on the tongue, the fruity and malty sweetness behind this suggesting home- made rum toffee and more exotic hints of spiced pineapple and green banana, made more appetising still by spicy and drying, bracingly crisp, clean oak. A dash of water creates a delightful and even smoother texture, still strong in peppery spice.
Finish: Quite short, sweet and peppery. With water, the oaky spiciness is even more forward.