Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection 60.02% 700ml

The Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection is a 60.02% ABV, 700ml Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, distilled in 1973 and meticulously bottled in October 2000 at its natural cask strength. This distinguished and limited edition whisky is a proud member of Diageo's Rare Malt Selection, a collection of single malt whiskies from both operational and lost distilleries, released between 1995 and 2005.

Offering a complex and intriguing tasting experience, the Cardhu 1973 embodies a harmonious balance of floral, fruity, malty, and smoky notes. When enjoyed neat, it exudes a powerful and very fruity profile, reminiscent of the Cardhu hallmark, with delightful hints of flower cordial, apple jelly, and a whisper of smokiness. Adding a splash of water reveals a maltier character, presenting grassy notes, wax, cider apples, ginger, and white peaches.

The whisky offers a long, balanced finish with a slightly assertive character, highlighting its harmonious blend of flavors. This expression is a testament to the Cardhu distillery's rich heritage, founded in 1824 and later acquired by John Walker & Sons in 1893. Rebuilt and expanded to six stills in 1960, the Cardhu distillery has since been a cornerstone in the world of Scotch whisky. This rare 1973 release provides an exceptional opportunity to savor a well-aged Speyside single malt from this historic distillery.

FAQs

• What makes the Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection special?

  The Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection is special due to its limited edition release, natural cask strength, and its membership in Diageo's prestigious Rare Malt Selection. This series features single malts from both operational and lost distilleries, making each bottle a unique collector's item.

• How should I drink the Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection?

  The Cardhu 1973 can be enjoyed neat to fully appreciate its powerful and fruity profile. Adding a few drops of water can reveal additional layers of malty, grassy, and fruity notes, providing a more nuanced tasting experience.

• What is the ABV of the Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection?

  The Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection has an ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of 60.02%, making it a robust and high-strength whisky.

Tasting notes

• Aroma: Floral, fruity, malty, hint of smoke, nutty (walnut, hazelnut, almond), oily, ash smoke, lilac, rose, honey, hessian, spice, oakiness, hollyhock bonsai
• Taste: Big, energetic, malty, toasted marshmallow, malted barley, fruity (peach, pineapple, orange, apricot, nectarine), waxy, oily, floral, plum, pear, tangy apple, pineapple
• Finish: Long, nutty, floral, fruity, waxy, oily, fruit basket, cereal
• Overall: The Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection offers a harmonious and balanced tasting experience. The nose is incredibly complex with floral, fruity, and malty sequences, complemented by a hint of smokiness. The palate is energetic and rich, transitioning seamlessly between fruity and malty flavors, with a delicate waxy and oily texture. The long finish revisits the nose and palate elements, leaving a memorable impression.

Reviewer's opinion

Right from the beginning, the first word that comes to mind when savoring this Cardhu is ‘harmonious’. The nose offers an incredible balance of floral, fruity, malty, and smoky notes. The palate transitions from an energetic start to gourmet sequences, each more impressive than the last. The finish revisits and reinforces the nose and palate components, imprinting them further in memory. Overall, the Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts Selection is a brilliantly composed whisky, offering a remarkable and memorable tasting experience.