I’m not the greatest fan of Cardhu. Can’t say I’ve ever been impressed with any, maybe it’s my fault , maybe it’s just not the whisky that makes an impression on my palate. This year’s edition is aged for 16 years. Initially matured in refill American oak and then finished in Jamaican rum. Intriguing? Let’s find out.
Cardhu 16 yo – Special Release 2022, 58%, £160 (TWE)
Nose: A bit of an alcohol bite, it needs some time to settle in the glass, then it’s fruity with a touch of tropicals (Rum finish, remember)? I am picking up some strawberry smoothie , peach cobbler, and then a hint of pineapple, it’s not overripe stuff you expect from some Jamaican rums, but it’s there… Some more nosing reveals a hint of toffee and milk chocolate as well, in addition to some sweet danish
pastries.
Palate: Sweet and spicy at times, with lots of red apples, stewed pears, and more of the pineapple notes, on top of toffee, chocolate, and some fudge. There’s certainly a hint of rum, but it’s not overpowering, which is nice.
Finish: Tropical and quite lovely, with the tropical fruit notes going on for quite some time, the apples are here as well.
Thoughts: It’s a nice whisky, with quite a bit of fruity notes, I especially like the finish, with the tropical fruit. It’s rather nice, but not 160 quid nice – no sir. A very good whisky, but I’m still not convinced. I am expecting something a bit more special from the Special Release. But, hey – it’s me.