Cardhu 15 Year Old

Cardhu was built in 1824 by John Cumming – albeit as Cardow – in the heart of Speyside. In 1893 it was bought by John Walker & Sons to provide enough Speyside style malt for their popular blends. Today we’ll try their 15 Year Old single malt.

The nose is pretty closed at first. It takes quite a few minutes and hand warmth before it reveals its secrets. Some baked apples, mandarin, furniture polis and a floral note that reminds me of lavender. Grain cookies, honey and barley sugar. The difference with the 12 is significant, in my opinion.

Nicely oily on the palate. Sweet malt, oranges – peel included – peach and toffee. Quatre quart cake. Midpalate it even turns a bit spicy and drying. But if I’m honest, I do prefer the 12 Year Old.

The finish is medium long and surprisingly dry and get a little menthol uplift.

It has a little more depth that his younger brother – certainly on the nose – but let’s not call this complex.

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