Cardhu – 18 Year Old (70cl, 40%)

Cardhu 18 Year Old is a Speyside single malt, bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. The name comes from the Gaelic for black rock. The distillery was the first to be founded by a woman, Helen Cumming, and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Cumming later played a part in its story. It was also the first distillery to work with John Walker & Sons. The nose is rich and complex, with pear, plum and cherry, a little pineapple, wild rose, menthol and leather, rising over a soft base of Christmas cake and buttery pastry. The palate is full, soft and oily, with light, lively acidity and a fruit core wrapped in chocolate. It softens further with water. The finish is long and smooth, with cocoa.