Whisky : Cardhu 11 Year 2020 Special Release

Country/Region : Scotland/Spesyide

ABV : 56%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon, Recharred American Oak

Age : 11 Years (Distilled 2008)

Nose : Citrus, cream, and vanilla. Crisp citrus with lemon and yuzu, faint pepper, and sweet cream. Orange marmalade came to mind as the sugars built up and the nose moved toward ginger cake with buttercream frosting or orange creamsicles. With time notes of sweet malted barley and tobacco appeared.

Palate : Medium-bodied with buttery viscosity and notes of citrus, cream, and herbs. Opening of bitter orange, star anise, and candied lemon peel. Mild earthiness with hints of minerals and chalk led into grassy notes of clover, Thai basil, and bitter roasted cacao nibs. A few drops of water brought out more vanilla, ginger, and cream.

Finish :   Lingering bitter citrus peel and pepper.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Thai Basil Mojito

Notes : This Cardhu was simple and tasty with not a lot of overbearing saccharine notes. This Cardhu had a wonderfully gentle nose with an intriguing bouquet of subtlety sweet notes on the palate. It was not the most complex thing, but I found the profile of bitter orange and grassy herbs, which were almost earthy at turns, fascinating. I ended up with the impression of an herbal sour mojito with crushed basil and citrusy syrups.  

Overall, I thought this struck a lovely balance between bitter oak and sweet malt, with neither dominating or giving the impression of off notes. I have not had a ton of Cardhu, but the few I have tried have had similar elements, and I quite liked this. The pricing on the Diageo Special Releases can be all over the place— and not always advantageous— but at least in terms of quality, I have rarely been disappointed, and this was no exception.

Image Credit: The Whisky Exchange