Cardhu Distillery & Visitors Centre
Share with us the story of the only malt distillery pioneered by a woman. The malt whisky produced here has a warmth and cleanliness of taste which experts describe as “silky” and is used in some of the award winning Johnnie Walker blends.
Aromas & Flavours Tour
We are offering our visitors an additional tour this Summer at Cardhu.
It is called the 'Aromas & Flavours Tour' and the charge will be £8 per person.
The tour will commence at 15.00 and will last one hour - to book, please telephone +44 (0) 1479 874 635 or contact richard.c.scott@diageo.com.
Tour of Cardhu Distillery - Malting : Mashing : Fermentation : Distillation : Maturation. Short History of Cardhu - 'only distillery in Scotland pioneered by a woman'.
Tutored Nosing and Tasting of selected Single Malts and a Johnnie Walker Blend, combined with a flavour tasting - 'Food and Whisky'.
£5 discount voucher redeemable against a 70cl bottle of malt whisky in our shop.
FOOD PAIRING
Cardhu's attractive sublte complexity is ideal with sweet meaty tastes such as: delicate air dried hams -notably Parma Ham and black figs, seared fois gras and carmelised apples and quails eggs in spiced sausage meat, to name just a few.
The History of Cardhu Distillery
CARDHU DISTILLERY - In 1811 John and Helen Cumming sited their first still at Cardow Farm on the Mannoch Hill, high above the River Spey. At this location spring water, naturally softened by rising up through a layer of peat, bubbled from the ground. It is alleged that Helen Cumming distilled the first gallon of Cardhu, the only malt whisky to be pioneered by a woman. For many years Helen Cumming produced only the smallest quantity of malt whisky in Cardhu's little still as quality was her chief concern. She continued to contribute to Cardhu's success well into her 90's.
Elizabeth Cumming, Helen's daughter-in-law, took over the managment of the distillery in 1872 when her husband died and ran it with energy and foresight. Under Elizabeth's direction, a new piece of land was acquired on which the distillery was rebuilt in 1885. Sales of Cardhu tripled in the space of a few years and by the end of the 19th century, Cardhu had attained a reputation as one of Scotland's top malt whisky distilleries.
Cardhu has made a unique contribuiton to the success of the Johnnie Walker Blends. In 1893, when the Walker family wanted to guarantee the quality of their Blends, during a time of rapid growth, they negotiated the purchase of Cardhu Distillery from Elizabeth Cumming to secure supplies for their blending. Elizabeth's son, John Fleetwood Cumming, was appointed to the Johnnie Walker Board. His skill as a Distiller complemented the talents of the Walker brothers, George and Alexander II, who brought both the artistry of blending and entrepreneurial drive to the Board. Together they made a team that ensured the growth of international popularity of the Johnnie Walker Blends.
CARDHU is the luxury single malt whisky from Speyside. It is produced in limited quantities by a deliberately slow distillation process, and matured for 12 years in specially selected oak casks. It may take longer than many malts to reach fruition, but it is time well spent, which is shown by Cardhu's exceptionally smooth and mellow character.
Opening Hours
Opening hours 2009
October to 10th April Mon - Fri: 11am - 3pm
Tours: 11am, 1pm and 2pm
13th April to June Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm
July to September Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 12noon - 4pm
Last Tour: 1 hour before above closing times.
NOTICE - The Visitors Centre will close at 1pm on Friday the 27th November. The only tour that day will be at 11am. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Closed between Christmas & New Year.
Children under 8 years are welcome but are not admitted to the production areas.
Contact
Mr
Richard
Scott
Knockando
Aberlour
Moray
AB38 7RY
Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1479 874635
Fax: +44 (0) 1479 874636
E-Mail: richard.c.scott@diageo.com
WWW: http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/cardhu
Grading & Awards
