Explore the rich heritage of Cardhu, the esteemed Speyside home of Johnnie Walker, with this rare 1950s bottling bearing the original distillery name, Cardow. Steeped in tradition, Cardhu has played a pivotal role in the world of Scotch whisky, contributing significantly to the renowned Johnnie Walker blends.
In 2002, faced with the demand for its whisky for blends, Cardhu took an unconventional turn, briefly transforming into a vatted "pure malt" to alleviate stock pressures. However, this decision sparked widespread criticism, leading to a quick reversion to a single malt status in 2004. This incident not only reshaped the landscape of single malt whisky but also gave rise to the term "blended malt," leaving an indelible mark on Cardhu's storied history.
This vintage bottling from the 1950s harkens back to an era when Cardhu was known as Cardow, derived from the Gaelic for "black rock." The use of this name on labels during the 1950s and 1960s adds a touch of nostalgia and historical significance to this exceptional expression.