Cardhu Distillery in Speyside is marking its 200-year anniversary with a free event on International Women’s Day that celebrates the pioneering women of Cardhu’s past and present, as well the release of a limited-edition bottling created and inspired by the innovative women at its core, including Cardhu’s original female pioneers, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming.
The anniversary expression is a first-of-its-kind for the distillery having been matured solely in ex-wine casks, a process which was led by Diageo whisky specialists and the Cardhu distilling team.
The event, A Celebration Of Cardhu’s Pioneering Women, will offer guided tastings and expert talks, including members of the team who distilled the 200-year anniversary dram, and will be the first of a series of events marking the whisky’s 200th anniversary
Roselyn Burnett, Cardhu Distillery Brand Home Manager and speaker at the event, said, “Cardhu has a history of pioneering women at its forefront, something unheard of when the distillery began 200 years ago. It took innovation and courage to go against the grain in the way the Cumming family did, and with this in our heritage it was only right we did something bold to celebrate such an anniversary.
“As a perfect example of the Speyside style of whisky, it was exciting to work with our blending and distilling experts to create an adapted iteration of what people expect from our distillery, while perfecting the liquid to ensure it retains those classic notes which people look for from Cardhu. As one of the few places in the world to stock this limited release, we’re looking forward to welcoming guests who have made the journey to visit us and buy a bottle, be that from Elgin or Ecuador.”
Eve Murphy, the whisky specialist who led on the development of this special release and panel expert, said: “Myself and the team at Cardhu have worked hard to make the 200-year-anniverary bottle something which speaks to the inspiring example which Helen and Elizabeth set two centuries ago. Never afraid to test boundaries, the women who were, and remain a huge part of Cardhu have once again achieved something special with this beautiful red-wine-cask edition.”