A deep coloured, well balanced malt whisky of exceptional flavour and smoothness, in which all of Cardhu’s luscious ripe fruitiness is balanced by a delicious spicy dryness.
A rich, burnished gold in appearance. The nose is mature, mellow, very fruity and hay like. Good mature notes, with spice and increasing orchard and especially tropical fruits: overripe nectarine, water melon, pineapple, mango, peach skin, passion fruit. The interplay between dry and sweet continues: hay, cedar and high cocoa solid chocolate drift away slightly to reveal firm pinewood and nutmeg. Water reveals mossy notes and a dry yet fragrant mistiness. Has complexity and intriguing balance. A soft body, medium to full.
Excellent length on the palate. Mouth filling and tongue coating. An immediate stimulating hit of sweet coconut, balanced by drier spices; cinnamon and nutmeg. Quite lively when neat, whilst under this soft flavours of caramel and nutty chocolate. Water reveals its depth and accentuates the chocolate. Soft and generous, with a very light grip and just a hint of peat. Still balanced; lemon, grass, passion fruit and guava playing against vanilla and macadamia nut.