Cardow (Cardhu) 28 yo 1962 James MacArthur 55.7% vs Craigellachie 46 yo 1970 #1607 Gordon & Macphail for LMdW 60th Anniversary 54.2%
Cardow (Cardhu) 28 yo 1962 James MacArthur 55.7%
It is very unusual to find a 60s vintage Cardhu. There’s really only the Cadenhead black dumpy, and then this strange one, bottled as a mini for James MacArthur. The next vintage I am aware of is a 1970. Despite the rarity, Cardhu is not Clynelish, so here and there one might find a few old ones at rather decent prices.
It reveals itself to be true to the old speyside style, characterful but not as ‘easy’ as it’s modern iteration. Brasso, and oiled metal. Ground flints and shrivelled grapefruit peel tied up with some hemp string. Hints of turpenes even, and camphor wood. Dried white clay, and a woody earthy aromatic like vetiver. Crushed almonds and something old-fruity, like shrivelled green apples you decided to save. Not dazzling, but loquacious and with many a tale of old days to tell. Nothing in the Speyside is made this way anymore, not even Benromach.
Craigellachie 46 yo 1970 #1607 Gordon & Macphail for LMdW 60th Anniversary 54.2%
A bottle famous in certain circles for being the ‘fall guy’ after a round of inebriated mishandling.
The wood influence is expected but not nearly as immense as I would have imagined for 46 years of maturation. The whisky is surprisingly vibrant as well – the wood first: Dried leaves and old resins. Polished tables with cracked lacquer and flaking leather. Dried bark and old firewood. Seems it took the best from the oak without the heavy oaky lactones that usually follow. How rare. A spry kick from the juniper berries, sour fruit of the forest and black pepper. Now hints of various things emerge here and there, a creamy thickness, some charcoal and cold flints, nutmeg, old hardened honey, and even old Armagnac. With thanks to a friend!
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