Cardhu 14 Year (2021 Special Release)

Tasting of Diageo Special Releases 2021 at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, on June 22, 2022. Spirit #1 Nose (undiluted): Light honey, grains, peach, pear, gooseberry, elderflower, and marshmallow. It possesses that floral quality often found in whiskies aged in red wine casks. Adding water intensifies the wine cask influence; over time and with rest, a dusky floral scent like musk-flavored candies emerges, eventually becoming the dominant aroma. Palate: An initial sharp arrival features orchard fruits and some berries as the primary flavors. Marshmallow reappears during development, along with diluted honey, barley sugar, caramel, vanilla, and a hot spice. The texture is good but not exceptional. Diluting it makes it more syrupy while introducing a bright acidic heat. Finish: Medium. Grassy, citrus. Water makes the finish slightly sour and grassy, with black pepper in the aftertaste. It's an above-average spirit, though not outstanding, in my opinion. It has an attractive nose contrasted by a somewhat harsh palate. I much preferred it neat over diluted, as water accentuates all the sharp and hot characteristics. I didn't try last year's Cardhu Special Release, but I did review the 2019 version and rated it 80/100. So, the score is gradually improving, I suppose. Standard range Cardhu expressions at lower proofs have always struck me as rather ordinary, with their mild honey and grain profile that works well as a blending component but lacks the distinct character needed for a truly superior single malt. This cask-strength bottling takes a different route, but I didn't find the journey rewarding or the initial cost justified. Aside from collectors seeking to complete a set, I can't envision anyone purchasing this. A quick poll at the tasting's conclusion showed it was the least favorite spirit of the night for zero participants. "Above Average": 81/100 (3 stars)

Today I acquired a 2021 Diageo Special release from the distillery at the core of Johnnie Walker, Cardhu. I'm not a big fan of Cardhu; I find it generally uninspiring and too simple. I've sampled several expressions and am still awaiting an impressive experience. This natural cask strength release, bottled at 55.5% ABV, was finished in red wine casks. On the nose, it's quite aromatic. Grapefruit, imperceptible sugar, acetone, and an overwhelmingly floral note. Roses, gooseberries. Orchard fruits, very clean notes here. This is the most pleasing aroma I've encountered in a Cardhu to date. There's definitely some spiciness present. Burnt hay. After a second sip? I detected chocolate and toffee; hints of lemon. On the palate, this differs from most Cardhus. Red fruits, pineapple; an abundance of toffee. Dulce de leche. Salted caramel. Very enjoyable. The aftertaste follows the same pattern with a twist. It's like small toffee pieces, like a crazy dip lollipop. Salted caramel and tart fruits, very appealing. In summary, this is easily the best Cardhu I've ever had. It's not a life-altering experience, but it's definitively superior to any other expression I've tasted previously. The cask strength and red wine finish have imparted truly pleasant floral and orchard fruit notes that are highly appealing. My rating for it is 92 out of 100, with 23 points awarded in each category.

First, thank you to the friend who shared this! Cardhu 14 CS 2021 Nose: 4.2 - Honey, honey apple, citrusy lemon, and a funky aroma. It's sweet and refreshing, but the funky notes blend in intriguingly. Palate: It tingles and tightens the tongue, with a sweet taste. The acidity is impressively memorable, among the most I've tasted in whisky. I tried to find the yogurt note, but couldn't really detect it. Finish: Spicy, like pepper. Despite the ABV, the impact isn't strong, and it goes down smoothly like water. Overall: It's said to have a red wine finish, but I found it fascinating that it had white wine notes. It was tasty, but since I don't particularly prefer CS and the finish was a bit lacking, I don't intend to purchase a bottle.

This is absolutely magnificent. The nose is gentle and immediately evokes ripe mango and rum. The palate continues this profile, adding notes of orange honey and honeysuckle. The finish is medium, with a lingering sweetness of white grape and other tropical fruit flavors that carry you away.

The nose is dominated by strong fruity, acidic, and floral notes. The palate maintains a sense of lightness, with almost citrus and green characteristics.

Minimal aroma, with a light, spicy wine character. Excellent harmony between malt and wine. Lightly spiced fruits. A medium finish with wine-like spice.