Distilled: 1973

Bottled: October 2000

Bottle Number: 4218

60.02% ABV / 70cl

Cardhu was the first distillery acquired by John Walker & Son in 1893 and has been linked to the brand ever since. Although it had appeared as a single malt as early as 1888, it wasn’t until nearly 100 years later that it was properly marketed as such. This proved especially popular in Spain and France, to the point where the distillery couldn’t meet the demand without eating into its blending stock. Their novel approach was to supplement it with whisky from other distilleries, calling it a “Pure Malt” instead. This sneaky tactic caused no end of consternation from the wider whisky industry, ultimately resulting in a tightening of Scotch Whisky regulations and the introduction of the “Blended malt” category.