Cardhu
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cardhu Distillery, Knockando, Aberlour
Banffshire AB38 7RY Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1340 872555 Fax: +44 (0) 1340 872556
Viewer's Comments about Cardhu
 In
1811 John and Helen Cumming sited their first still at Cardow
Farm on Mannoch Hill, high above the River Spey. At this location,
spring water, naturally softened by rising up through a layer
of peat, bubbled from the ground. It is alleged that Helen
Cumming distilled the first gallon
of Cardhu, the only malt whisky to be pioneered by a woman.
For many years Helen Cumming produced only the smallest quantity
of malt whisky in Cardhu's little still as quality was her
chief concern and she continued to contribute to its success
well into her 90s.
Elizabeth
Cumming, Helen's daughter-in-law, took over the managment
of the distillery in 1872 when her husband died and ran it
with energy and foresight. Under Elizabeth's direction, a
new piece of land was acquired on which the distillery was
rebuilt in 1885. Sales of Cardhu tripled in the space of a
few years and by the end of the 19th century, Cardhu had attained
a reputation as one of Scotland's top malt whisky distilleries.
Cardhu
has made a unique contribuiton to the success of Johnnie Walker
Blends. In 1893 when the Walker family wanted to guarantee
the quality of their Blends, at a time of rapid growth, they
negotiated the purchase of Cardhu Distillery from Elizabeth
Cumming to secure supplies for blending. Elizabeth's son,
John Fleetwood Cumming, was appointed to the Johnnie Walker
Board. His skill as a Distiller complemented the talents of
the Walker brothers, George and Alexander II, who brought
both the artistry of blending and entrepreneurial drive to
the Board. Together they made a team that ensured the growth
in international popularity of the Johnnie Walker Blends.
Cardhu
is the luxury single malt whisky from Speyside. It is produced
in limited quantities by a deliberately slow distillation
process, and matured for 12 years in specially selected oak
casks. It may take longer than many malts to reach fruition,
but it is time well spent, as can be judged by Cardhu's exceptionally
smooth and mellow character.
The malt itself – which is presented in an elegant decanter
with a beechwood stopper - is pretty typical of a Speyside
malt. It is highly approachable – smooth, sweet, mellow
and uncomplicated and often described as silky. It has good
body and length. Interestingly, the distillery is the only
place in the UK where you can buy Cardhu™ single malt
– which, naturally, adds to its very special nature.
It’s
a taste that is obviously popular as it is known and loved
all over the world. Such
is the  popularity
of Cardhu Single Malt in Spain that worldwide demand has outstripped
the capacity of this small distillery, with the result that
its malt is sadly no longer available in many countries.
Cardhu
is owned by Diageo.
|
Courtesy
of Cardhu Distillery |
| CARDHU™
12 YEAR OLD |
Appearance:
Golden honey.
Nose: At full strength, heady, nose prickle,
pear drops and tightly integrated heather, resin and sweet honey-nut
notes. Enticing. Intriguing. With a little water, still harmonious
but less pronounced, allowing some malt-cereal, soft, spicy wood,
moorland and faint traces of wood-smoke to appear.
Body: Soft, pleasing, medium.
Palate: Palate Well balanced, smooth mouthfeel;
short punch, sweet and fresh, then a pronounced drying effect.
Enjoyable at any time, with little or no water.
Finish: Quite short. Some lingering sweet smoke
in the attractive, drying aftertaste.
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Cardhu
Whisky Distillery
Cardhu
Distillery – previously called Cardow – must be
one of the best located distilleries in Speyside. High on the
hills on the north side of the Spey Valley with extensive views
to the south, it is set in attractive grounds ideal for picnics
(complete with picnic tables). It was founded in 1824
By the time John Cumming bought a license for his Cardhu distillery
in 1824, he and his wife Helen had already been producing illicit
whisky for 13 years. Whenever the Excise officers passed by,
Helen would disguise the mashing and fermenting as bread-making.
Then, while the officers drank the tea she made for them, she
would fly a red flag from the barn to warn their neighbours
that revenue men were around.
Once the
distillery was officially licensed, John and Helen Cumming continued
to value quality over quantity. Their son and daughter-in-law,
Elizabeth, followed in their footsteps. The qualities of the
malt they produced became essential to John Walker and Sons
(of Johnnie Walker fame – unsurprisingly). So much so,
in fact, that in 1893, Cardhu was the first distillery that
they bought – although it was still run for a time by
John and Helen’s grandson, also called John.
By the
end of the nineteenth century, Cardhu™ had gained a reputation
as one of Scotland’s top malt whisky distilleries.
Senior Site Manager: Andy Cant
Opening Times
October to Easter
Monday to Friday 11a.m.-3p.m.
Tour Times: 11a.m., 1p.m. and 2p.m.
Easter to June
Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm.
Tour times: Tours run approximately every half hour.
July to September
Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
Sunday, 12 noon - 4pm.
Tour times: Tours run approximately every half hour.
(Closed between Christmas and New Year.)
Last tour is ONE hour before closing.
Admission
There is an adult admission fee of £4 which includes a
£3 discount voucher redeemable in the Visitor Centre Shop.Children
under 18 are free of charge. Children under 8 years of age are
welcome, but will not be permitted to the production area.
Contact Us
Cardhu Distillery,
Knockando, Morayshire
Tel: +44 (0) 1340 872555 Fax: +44 (0) 1340 872556 |
Courtesy
of Cardhu Distillery |
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