Cardhu 14 Year "The Scarlet Blossoms of Black Rock" is the 2021 Diageo Special Releases edition from the historic Cardhu Distillery in Knockando, Speyside, founded in 1824 by farmer John Cumming and famously continued by his wife Helen Cumming after his death (one of the very few distilleries in Scotch history founded and operated by a woman in the 19th century). Part of the eight whisky 2021 Diageo Special Releases "Legends Untold" collection, this expression was distilled in 2006, aged 14 years in refill American oak casks, and finished in red wine casks before being bottled at natural cask strength of 55.5% ABV without chill filtration. The release marks one of the most prominent and widely available Cardhu single malt special releases ever produced, as Cardhu has historically been one of the most important malt backbones of the iconic Johnnie Walker blends rather than a standalone single malt brand. The striking label features artwork of a fantastical tree in full scarlet bloom growing on blackened rock, tied to the marketing fable of "scarlet blossoms" whose enchanting aroma infused the distillery's character (each "Legends Untold" bottle also features a QR code that enables augmented reality animation of the bottle's signature creature when scanned). Released fall 2021 as a discrete annual vintage that will never be repeated.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Cardhu |
| Distillery |
Cardhu Distillery, Knockando, Speyside (est. 1824) |
| Founders |
John Cumming and Helen Cumming |
| Producer |
Diageo |
| Type |
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cask Strength Limited Release |
| Series |
Diageo Special Releases 2021 "Legends Untold" Collection |
| Theme Name |
"The Scarlet Blossoms of Black Rock" |
| Region |
Speyside, Scotland |
| Age |
14 Years |
| Distilled |
2006 |
| Maturation |
Refill American Oak Casks, Finished in Red Wine Casks |
| Released |
Fall 2021 |
| ABV |
55.5% |
| Proof |
111 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Strength |
Natural Cask Strength |
| Filtration |
Non Chill Filtered |
| Special Feature |
QR Code with Augmented Reality Animation |
| Status |
Discontinued Annual Vintage |
| Country |
Scotland |
Tasting Notes
Color: Bright golden amber with rich rose tinted highlights from the red wine cask finish.
Nose: Fresh and lightly fruity, with white grape, lychee, green apple, pear, orange zest, buttery pastry, light spicy wine seasoned wood, meadow flowers, heather honey, malt, coconut, cookies, and a striking Parma violet perfumed note that develops with time.
Palate: Creamy smooth and lithe, with apple, pear, grape, plum, red berries, candy apple, toffee, oak spice, heather honeyed sweetness, fragrant perfumed character, and gentle wine cask richness, surprisingly light bodied for the 55.5% ABV.
Finish: Long, warming, and elegant, with stone fruit sweetness, white pepper pinch, lingering apple, soft oak, and a clean perfumed fade with all the timeless elegance of a single bloom.
FAQ
What is the "Legends Untold" collection? "Legends Untold" was the overarching theme of the 2021 Diageo Special Releases collection, featuring eight whiskies from across the Diageo single malt portfolio with vivid fantasy themed bottle artwork built around mythical creatures and legendary tales tied to each distillery's character. The 2021 collection was the first to feature a QR code on each bottle that, when scanned with a smartphone, brings the bottle's signature creature to life through augmented reality animation. For Cardhu, the legend is "The Scarlet Blossoms of Black Rock" — a mysterious tree of scarlet blossoms whose enchanting scent transformed a blackened hill into lush abundance and gave rise to the Cardhu Distillery.
Why is a Cardhu single malt release significant? Cardhu has historically been one of the most important malt distilleries in the entire Diageo portfolio, but the ma
