Sorry it’s been awhile, but we are getting back into posting the whiskies we are trying. I thought I would post about Cardhu 12 year old, a single malt scotch that is back on the U.S. market.
I have known about Cardhu for awhile, but had not tried it, as it was not sold in the U.S. So, I bought a bottle on Ebay, paid way too much now that it is available. Even now, it is way overpriced on Ebay. I was eager to try this, from what I read it was a very easy going dram.
Right away I noticed the coloring, a beautiful honey gold. There are no markings on the bottle indicating whether it is non-chill filtered, so I am assuming coloring was added.
Nose: very light, fruits such a pineapples and grapes. A very floral nose as well.
Palate: Light, hints of nuts, hints of wood, hints of sweetness. Very smooth malt with no water needed. Absolutely no “alcohol burn.”
Finish: Short, drying at the end.
This is bottled at 40%, which is a shame as I feel if bottled at a slightly higher alcohol content much more flavors would burst through. Perhaps if it was non-chill filtered that would help as well. This is not a bad dram. The flavors were there, just in a very subtle way. This would be a great beginners malt, as no water is needed. Even better yet, a dram on a day that is to hot for a “heavy single malt.”
At the Wine and Cheese Place in St. Louis it goes for the mid $30, so that is not a bad price to pay. I would give Cardhu an 82 out of a 100.
Mark