Cardhu Amber Rock Scotch Gets A Kiss From Bourbon

The Speyside-based Cardhu Scotch distillery, owned by spirits giant Diageo, was founded in 1824 by a whisky smuggler. Though the whisky produced here mostly is used for some of the Johnnie Walker blended products, it also makes some single malt expressions, the latest of which has just been announced.

The new Cardhu Amber Rock has gotten cozy with American bourbon in a certain sense given that this no age statement whisky was double matured in toasted American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. What results from this is described in the official tasting notes as “citrus and honey [that] are deepened by fruit, spice and sweetness: superbly balanced and well-paced, with consistent intensity and texture and a tasteful mingling of silky tannins and clean, fresh vanilla flavours and aromas.”

Bottled at 40 percent ABV. Amber Rock is destined for whisky shops in France and Belgium initially, followed by a wider western European release by late summer. It is an entry level offering, pricing around $70 a bottle. It joins a Cardhu line up which already consists of 15 and 18 year old expressions.