Cardhu holds a particular place in Scotch history. Founded in 1824 by John Cumming, it was run for decades by his daughter-in-law Elizabeth Cumming, who rebuilt the distillery in the 1880s and sold the old stills to William Grant — the same stills that started Glenfiddich. Cardhu is also the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker, which is why Diageo has always protected it carefully.
Gold Reserve is the entry point into the single malt range, sitting below the 12 year old. It carries no age statement and is presented at the standard 40% ABV. Maturation is in a mix of American and European oak casks, and the whisky is aimed at the lighter, pre-dinner end of the market.
The nose is soft: vanilla, orchard fruit, light honey. The palate follows through with toffee, pear and malt, lifted by a dusting of baking spice. The finish is short and clean. It does not pretend to depth, but it delivers the easy, approachable Speyside profile that has kept Cardhu on bar shelves for generations.
