Review #140: Cardhu 14yr Cask Strength 2021 Special Release: Scotch

Score: 8.9 / 10

Distillery: Cardhu Distillery

Type: Speyside Scotch

Cardhu is no stranger to the scotch game. They have in fact been open almost 200 years since 1824. Cardhu is now owned by Diageo, one of the world's largest producers of spirits.

The distillery is one of the few in Scotland to have its own malting floor, where the barley is soaked and germinated before being dried and used in the whisky-making process.

The name "Cardhu" comes from the Scots Gaelic word for "black rock," which refers to the dark, rocky hill near the distillery.

This particular expression was a very limited release at 14 years instead of the typical floor of twelve and is also released at cask strength.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Fresh rain, honey, hibiscus, rose petal, perfume, eucalyptus, black pepper with vanilla, oak, almond, earthy lime zest. Once the glass is near empty a distinct and robust vanilla cake surfaces.

Palate: Very creamy as an explosion of vanilla and honey hit the tongue. Honeysuckle, pear, red apple, and green grape offer a cornucopia of fruits accentuated by a crackling peppered spice. On the back-end a rich blackberry jam emerges with a touch of brine.

Finish: Long lingering rose petal, dried oak and crisp red apple. Lemon with a touch of orange rind. More vanilla and dates stick around as other salient flavors fade. After a long while astringent almond and pecan notes are all that remain.

Score: 8.9

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Notes: Availability? Uncommon - Rare. Particular special releases are pretty hard to find after in stores. However, this on in particular is fairly easy to find online while they last with each release.