🥃 Cardhu

Cardhu (formerly Cardow) is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand in Knockando, Speyside. The Cumming family founded it, and women played a major role in its history: Helen and Elizabeth Cumming. Today the distillery belongs to Diageo and is an important component of Johnnie Walker blends.

History. According to Whiskypedia, John and Helen Cumming leased the farm in 1811 and soon began distilling illegally. Cardhu became one of the first Speyside distilleries to receive a licence after the Excise Act of 1823 (Difford's Guide dates the licence to 1824). After Lewis Cumming died in 1872, his widow Elizabeth ran the business; in 1884 she rebuilt the distillery and sold the old stills and the water wheel to William Grant. In 1893 the owner became John Walker & Sons.

How it's made. Six stills (first two, then four, and six from 1960), lightly peated malt, water from the Mannoch Hill spring. Fermentation lasts about 75 hours. Cardhu is one of the Highland houses of Johnnie Walker.

Range. The core expression is Cardhu 12 Years, launched in 2005. In 2002–2004 the brand sold Cardhu Pure Malt, a blend of whiskies from different distilleries; after industry criticism it was withdrawn, which affected labelling rules and cemented the term blended malt.

Why it matters to you. Single malt is whisky from one distillery, while blended malt is a mix of several. Check the exact name on the label. The age statement refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.