Cardhu Hand Filled Distillery Exclusive, batch 2021-001

My concluding review from the distillery tasting tour in Cardhu concerns their second bottling, exclusively available at the distillery premises. I'm referring to the Cardhu Hand Filled: an 11-year-old, 56.3% ABV dram, from batch 2021-001. By now, you likely know that Cardhu isn't my preferred spirit, not due to any issue with it; rather, they haven't yet produced anything that has truly impressed me, despite trying numerous expressions. The aroma meets expectations. Almonds, candied almonds; Chocolate. Brownies with a subtle hint of undetectable sugar. Honey. On the palate, it's very straightforward, but pleasant. Honey, toffee, and chocolate. The aftertaste remains quite simple, but good. Chocolate, brownies, and almonds. Not overly complex, well-executed. In summary, this represents the best I've experienced from Cardhu. I've come to accept this. That said, it's a mediocre dram at best. Sweet, easy to drink, and not complex at all, it could serve as an everyday whisky, which I doubt is the intention for a "hand filled distillery exclusive." My rating is 86 out of 100.