Cardhu Distillery celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the distillery is holding an event celebrating the women of Cardhu, and has released a limited-edition expression.
The free event, A Celebration of Cardhu’s Pioneering Women, will be held on International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March). Guests will experience a guided tasting of the anniversary bottling and hear from a panel of experts. The event will also feature a welcome drink, cocktail masterclass, and live music.
The anniversary bottling is 12-year-old Cardhu matured exclusively in ex-wine casks, a first for the distillery. The expression is inspired by the pioneers behind the brand, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming, who are remembered for “defying traditions and pushing boundaries” in the ages of illicit distilling.
The bottle’s packaging depicts Helen Cumming with a red flag, signalling to conspirators to hide illicit stills from authorities.
Roselyn Burnett, Cardhu Distillery brand home manager and event speaker, 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, whisky specialist and panel expert, who led on the development of the anniversary edition, added: “Myself and the team at Cardhu have worked hard to make the 200-year-anniversary 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.”
