Cardhu – 12 Year Old (70cl, 40%)

Cardhu 12 Year Old is a Speyside single malt from the Classic Malts series, an original bottling at 40% in a 70cl bottle. Twelve years in cask give it a light, silky character of medium body, with honey and pear at its centre and only a faint trace of smoke. Colouring is added and it is chill-filtered. On the nose, pear drops, heather and resin sit alongside honey and nuts. A little water brings out malt, soft spicy wood and a hint of wood smoke. The palate is soft and balanced, a short, sweet, fresh start turning clearly drier. The finish carries sweet smoke and dries.