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Cardhu

Distillery
Knockando, Banffshire, Scotland

Whiskies (269)

269 Cardhu whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

Highest rated whiskies

About Cardhu

A celebrated Speyside single malt distillery founded in 1824, now owned by Diageo and vital to Johnnie Walker blends as well as a respected single malt in its own right.

Speyside, Scotland

Region Speyside
Country Scotland
Production Type Speyside single malt distillery (Blend supplier + single malt)
Brands Produced Here Cardhu 12, 15, 18 year olds; Amber Rock; Gold Reserve; Special Cask Reserve; other NAS editions

Timeline

The distillery is first time mentioned

1811

Elizabeth Cumming
Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Helen Cumming, took over the distillery.

1872

extension of the distillery

1887

The name changed to Cardhu

1893

Stills are heated by oil firing
Cardhu has been the first distillery to became oil heated.

1922

Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD)

1930

Name changed back to Cardhu

1981

The visitor centre opened

1988

Lewis Cumming
After the dead of John Cumming, his son Lewis took over the distillery.

1846

Rebuilding of the distillery in the neighborhood .

1884

John Walker & Sons Ltd.

1893

The name changed back to Cardow

1908

Distillers Company Limited (DCL)

1925

Two additional stills are installed.

1960

Diageo

1987

Timeline

1811

The distillery is first time mentioned

1846

Lewis Cumming
After the dead of John Cumming, his son Lewis took over the distillery.

1872

Elizabeth Cumming
Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Helen Cumming, took over the distillery.

1884

Rebuilding of the distillery in the neighborhood .

1887

extension of the distillery

1893

John Walker & Sons Ltd.

1893

The name changed to Cardhu

1908

The name changed back to Cardow

1922

Stills are heated by oil firing
Cardhu has been the first distillery to became oil heated.

1925

Distillers Company Limited (DCL)

1930

Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD)

1960

Two additional stills are installed.

1981

Name changed back to Cardhu

1987

Diageo

1988

The visitor centre opened

Distillery Details

Capacity 3.3–3.4 MLPA
Water Source Spring water from Mannoch Hill and Lyne Burn
Grain Type Barley (unpeated malt)
Distillation Type Pot still double distillation
Whisky Produced Single malt for own label and component for blends
Number of Mash Tuns 1
Mash Tun Capacity 8 tonnes
Mash Tun Type Lauter mash tun
Number of Washbacks 10
Washback Material Wood (larch/Douglas fir) and stainless steel
Fermentation Time ~75 hours
Wash Stills 3
Wash Still Material Copper
Wash Still Shape Pear‑shaped
Wash Still Capacity 12,000 L (approx.)
Wash Still Heating Steam
Spirit Stills 3
Spirit Stills Material Copper
Spirit Stills Shape Pear‑shaped
Spirit Still Type Pot still
Spirit Still Capacity 10,500 L (approx.)
Spirit Still Heating Steam
Condensor Type Shell & tube
Warehouse Type Stone warehouses + Diageo central warehouses
Warehouses On‑site storage and external

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