William Cadenhead 43-year-old CA

Overall rating
88.54/100
votes
115
Whiskybase ID
WB87471
Category
Blend
Distilleries
Bottler
Cadenhead's (CA)
Bottling serie
Blended Scotch Whisky
Stated Age
43 years old
Casktype
Oak Casks
Number of bottles
624
Strength
44.2 % Vol.
Size
700 ml
Added on
02 oct 2016 8:45 am by RoyalScotsman
UncoloredNon-chillfiltered
William Cadenhead 43-year-old CA
Photo by faust9
William Cadenhead 43-year-old CA
Photo by Bram84
William Cadenhead 43-year-old CA
Photo by Bram84

Average value

€ 399.00

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€ 399.00
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Whisky reviews for William Cadenhead 43-year-old CA

27 users have left 28 reviews for this whisky. Average rating is 88.54 points.

  1. Archer scored this whisky 89 points Connoisseur

    The Invergordon determines the direction, the two Glens willingly follow. As long as you do not have a problem with a light grain note, this is a top blend. You do not get with this age every day.
    • Nose
      89 89
      First, the Grain, which plants a not just unintensive, but not unpleasant glue note in the nose. Then custard, Christmas cookies with cinnamon, pepper, thyme, honey. Looks fat and meaty.
    • Taste
      89 89
      Starts dry and with lots of caramel and honey. Crème brûlée with extra caramelized sugar. Cinnamon, orange marmalade, almond paste, grated hazelnuts. Less oaky than expected.
    • Finish
      88 88
      Medium long and dry with a return Grain note, vanilla, caramel and a hint of old sherry.

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  3. Casketje scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    I don't think I've ever described a whisky as being smooth, but if there's one word for this one it's just that. Really viscous but incredibly delicate. It doesn't stand up very well to other malts because of its delicate nature but if you just have it on its own and spend enough time with it, it's really beautiful. Just don't expect any flavour spikes, that's not what this is about.
    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      86 86

  4. FluidSunshine scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      85 85

  5. EJS scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

  6. Jim_my_whisky did not rate this whisky Member Senior

    From Whiskyfun,

    William Cadenhead 43 yo (44.2%, Cadenhead, blended Scotch, +/-2016) Three stars All right, some low malt proportions but there is some potential oomph, with 40% Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich, and 60% Invergordon. Love the design, since there’s no design. Colour: full gold. Nose: it’s rather the Invergordon that speaks out, with sweet and rounded vanillas and coconuts. Now it’s very interesting to ’feel’ the fight between the boneless grain and the rather bolder malts. Intriguing, I say. I’d have added 3 to 5% Coal Ila of something, but hey, not my business. Mouth: yes and no. Yes because it’s good, obviously, and no because the grain took control, for once. Some buttery, coconutty, vanilla-ed notes are playing it loud, and what comes next is rather too sweet and fruity for me. Jelly babies and stuff. So, a little thin, perhaps. Finish: medium, sweet. Comments: I’d say they need four times less time to make the same kind of whiskey in Amerikka! But yeah, it’s a very good drop. SGP:530 - 80 points.

  7. maltandgrains scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      82 82
      Wood glue, sherry, caramel. Sweet and smooth - as long as you don't stick your nose right down the glass, then it gets very spirited.
    • Taste
      88 88
      Great balance! Sweet, smooth. Dried fruits, oakiness, honey, coffee and caramel. Citric hint.
    • Finish
      86 86
      Medium-long. Coffee, dried fruits and dark chocolate. A little oakiness remains. A little orange zest.

  8. Erik1908 scored this whisky 90 points Expert Senior

    This is my 100ml share of a bottleshare I did with my friends here. Topic of that memorable afternoon was a collection of Cadenhead bottles.

    Let's say that I followed the advise of Cask1988 (he was at the table as well) below here.

    Let's also state that this comes very close to the vintage tasting of "old-style" whiskies we did some weeks ago. When I showed a picture of this bottle in my collection to the guys in the Cadenhead shop in Edinburgh, they got excited immediately: where did you get that from?
    • Nose
      91 91
      Poor a 3cl dram; leave it for 30-45 minutes. Add 2 drops of water (not more) and the rest is history. The nose gets stronger by the minute. The glue disappears. Beautiful, complex, sweet and mild spicy nose.
    • Taste
      91 91
      Complex again. Old-style whisky of the days long gone. This is how many whiskies should taste, but unfortunately do not. Quite a full body given the rather low abv.
    • Finish
      89 89
      Medium long to long and dry. This could/should have been a little stronger. Quite mellow and sweet till the end.

      I am glad I still have 6cl left; I am for sure open for another bottleshare.

  9. Markie81 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      86 86

  10. WSP scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    impressive old blend with a nice balance.
    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      91 91

  11. Thermidor scored this whisky 87 points Connoisseur

    I was a bit put off by how much the cask dominates this one, but still ended up scoring it the second best blend of the tasting. Delicious, but not truly magnificent.

    Tasted with 5 other Cadenhead blends.
    • Nose
      Meaty and game-y compared to the other blends on the table. Some sherry fruitiness, some hazelnuts. It's a bit spirity at first, but after 60 minutes it's turned into sweet and marmalade-like, with some pine.
    • Taste
      RIch, but strongly cask driven. Lots of oak and sherry, and much less on distillates than the other CA blends in the tasting. After 45-60 minutes the body begins to fail. It's still rather tannic and woody, but there's not much happening underneath. Time also makes it develop some citric notes.
    • Finish
      Lots of woody sherry. Not a tannin bomb, but close. Some Glendronach single casks come to mind. The finish is long, waxy, and elegant, but it could be more present.

  12. LiquidThoughts scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    The nose made me doubt whether this is really good, but in the mouth it sparked by the surprise of a small fireworks, while beautifully edgy Oldschool.
    • Nose
      A little shoe polish, a lot of caramel, sweet honey, oiled leather, chamomile tea, licorice, after a while comes fresh apple, light notes of esthern, fresh citrus notes also, rosemary, malt, thyme
    • Taste
      Much more fruit and malt content than the nose suggested, lots of red and green apple, tangerine, fresh honey, pepper, salt, apricot, walnuts, thyme and other herbs
    • Finish
      Furthermore, nuts, autumn leaves, oak with herbal honey, long

  13. Rien scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      88 88

  14. didi1893 scored this whisky 89 points Connoisseur

    This old blend is harmoniously balanced and wins through its pleasant sharpness neatly in volume and strength. In the nose and in the taste, the Grainanteil (here in the form of a delicious Invergordon) can not be denied, the single malts used harmonize perfectly with the Grain. Although this filling has fruity and sweet elements, unfortunately dominate the wooden flavors, I miss a little bit of "fruitiness". Of course, this is again whining on a high level because I still feel this old blend as very complex and multi-layered. Tastes and likes!

    23/22/22/22 (89P)
    • Nose
      Bright and clear, William Cadenhead shines amber from the Premium Snifter. Spicy oak notes and a fresh pinch of peppermint stand out of the glass, vanilla and fruity oranges exude their sweet aroma, in the background is a subtle musty and musty note. While I watch the long and oily "legs" on the glass wall, a touch of thyme and meadow herbs pulls through my nose, malty aromas lie discreetly in the background. Dried apricots and a scratched vanilla pod follow the slightly grassy and floral spicy notes, subtly a minimal adhesive note comes to light. The nose is still unbelievably fresh and harmoniously balanced for her age.
    • Taste
      Mild and fine harsh, the first sip flows through the palate. Spicy wood tones and a handful of dried berries harmonize beautifully with the slowly emerging sharpness. A hint of pepper sticks to the tongue, again show thyme and herbs. Old walnuts and wet forest soil let the minimal sharpness disappear completely, apples and apricots provide a fruity component. After the second sip, the sharpness flares up again, black pepper sticks to the tongue, tart wood elements and dried fruit notes follow. Pleasant warmth runs through the throat, leaving wet leaves and rancid walnuts on the palate.
    • Finish
      Old walnuts, wet leaves and spicy wood elements dominate the aftertaste from the beginning. Citrus, it could be Grapefruit, rise from the spicy and harsh wood tones, a hint of fresh mint also rises. Toffee and malt swim creamy in the saliva, a few butter flakes melt on the tongue.

  15. stefsel111 scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      87 87

  16. Cask1988 did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    What more can you say. This is fantastic stuff!!

    Age doesn’t guarantee anything. I've tasted young whiskies that where way better matured and balanced than older 20+ years whiskies. But with this one Cadenhead did one hell of a job!! This is without a doubt top 5 material for me. 

    Make sure you pour a glass and leave it for at least 30 minutes. Let it breath and get rid of the typical extreme glue smell a grain whisky gives at the start. If you don’t, you won’t enjoy it i think. After 30 minutes 1 single drop of water and keep sniffing!
    • Nose
      Oomph....alright. There is age..age..and...age! Some leather notes and a lot of very ripe fruits like apples, pears and also dried red fruit. There is a great balance going on inhere between the malts and the grain. Man-o-man what a nose!  Sophisticated and so well aged! You can smell this whisky has got a very good body which is also very fragile.
    • Taste
      Age is all over this one. Again very ripe fruits! The grain really lifts the malts and gives it a subtle, well rounded flavor. Old, wet wood notes. At first it appears to be a little thin, but it soon starts to give a , soft, subtle, well balanced, creamy and a little oily experience. It’s like your mouth gets wrapped in a silky, buttery layer all around.
    • Finish
      Just beautiful! This one keeps you company for quite a while. My tip: just don’t eat, drink or brush your teeth anymore after this. It ends up sweet and woody accompanied with some Caramel fudge and vanilla and leaves you with a silky feeling.

  17. OlivierSegers scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      88 88

  18. greg_0277 scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    I did not expect much from the high proportion of grain (I'm not a fan) but I was pleasantly surprised. The nose evokes old sherry: dusty furniture, leather, dried fruit, a little solvent, varnish. The mouth is marked by sugar: caramel, fudge, a smoked veil. A little wood. Alcohol is very well integrated.
    The final is the weak point, quite short and does not bring anything new. It is drunk very well, it's good, not excessive compared to the advertised age but perhaps a little unbalanced question value for money.

  19. Rowald Sweet Empire scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    Great great blend. The 55% Invergordon is in perfect balance to the 45% Glenfarclas/Livet. Toffee, nuts..very nutty, some coffee and a tender sweetness. 

  20. Titi94 did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of MaltNose: Digestive biscuit, thick barley, chocolate and Sherried raisins. Subtly elements of stone fruit.Palate: The old oak starts to show much more on the palate, with golden syrup and chopped nuts alongside.Finish: Orange oil, vine peaches, peppery spice.

  21. Malinois scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    Tasted at Spirits In The Sky 2017 7/13

  22. Defeatless scored this whisky 92 points Expert Senior

    Nose:
    This is a very good nose. There is some glue in here, which comes from the old grain. But it fades away for very mellow, designated old whisky notes. There is some oak, fudge, old bookshop, fruit cake and so on in here. Something to keep sniffing and sniffing.
    This is very, very good!

    Taste:
    This is how only really fine and very mature whisky's can taste. It is a bit sweet and sour, but also a very nice and decent 'hardy' note. There is some oak, there is some citrus (still!), some fudge and caramel in here. Very nicely balanced and layered whisky

    Body:
    Full, creamy and mellow

    Finish:
    Long. The finish is a tad sour, but it is very good. It begins with a burst of vanilla and caramel. Then there is some of the wood, and it fades away with a sour note.

    Price:
    We could manage to get one for €190,-. Which is an excellent deal.

    Presentation:
    Sober, which is fine! Very transparent info on the bottle!

    Comments:
    This is a very good blend, probably the best blended I've ever tasted.
    • Nose
      92 92
    • Taste
      92 92
    • Finish
      92 92

  23. hs305 scored this whisky 91 points Connoisseur

    [May, 2017]  I just arrived in Campbeltown for the upcoming festival, so this is a good reason to re-taste this delicious old Cadenhead blend.  It is composed of 45 per cent malt (Glenfarclas, Glenlivet) and 55 per cent grain (Invergordon), I bought a bottle for 153 Euro.

    This whisky shows that sometimes less is more:  Just three ingredients form a great blend, one to sniff and chew for hours if you adore such old-style complex stuff.  And to state it again for all that experience OBFs (old bottle flavours) the first time - these unusual (solvent) aromas on the nose indicate real great drams and they are neither flaws nor off-notes!
    • Nose
      92 92
      The colour is deep copper and the texture shows a few slow legs and late fat tears. The nose... YES, there it is: tons of OBFs (adhesive glue, lacquer paint, nail varnish remover), simply great! And delicious old sherry and fruity aromas with surprisingly low wooden notes (given the 43 years in cask). Great complexity and balance, I guess a trained nose could easily smell 20+ different aromas in here.
    • Taste
      90 90
      The taste rolls in different waves over my taste buds and is centered around old-school sherry and grainy flavours, all imbedded in a sound (but never bitter or drying) wooden structure. Dozens of flavours all in great harmony. Some drops of water open up the nose and smoothen the taste/finish even further, I like it that way better. But be cautious not to add too much of it as this dram flattens quickly.
    • Finish
      91 91
      The first mouthfeel is astonishingly fresh, smooth and mellow. It coats the whole mouth without any hot or astringent moments. Again no bitter woody notes after all the decades. The finish gets more chocolatey than the body and now, at its very end the first slight bitter tannins pop up (unbelievable late and never unpleasant, rather chewable).

  24. hs305 scored this whisky 91 points Connoisseur

    [December, 2016]  I found this dram in an advents calendar sampled by Cadenhead.

    In my old rating system (ten scales that translate into WB points: 50 - 66 - 75 - 80 - 82,5 - 85 - 87,5 - 90 - 92,5 - 95) I scored it 92,5.  My notes state simply: Delicious!

  25. WhiskyLovingPianist scored this whisky 88 points Connoisseur

    Blog
    I know by now everyone knows all the things, but just incase you missed it, it consists of ‘45% malt and 55% grain, the whiskies are from Glenfarclas, Glenlivet and Invergordon’ [Cadenhead]. It’s really not a bad a price [€219, Apr ’17], given the age and the 45% malt content.
    N: Im nosing plenty of straight Invergordon but with a burned & buttery vanilla note, pink [strawberry] ice-cream, foosty-sweet dunnage bourbon-sugar globules, grassy dried lemon moving to a dense lemon drizzle cake, sweet & sweaty picnic food, some old larder activity… bits of Action Man [the hands especially] – I’ll stop there! In short: foosty, dry and fruity.
    T: Comes in somewhat creaking yet with pursed lips, determined to put on a show. More burnt rubber [from the Glenfarclas I imagine], but that’s a sideline really. It’s very fruity [grain-fruity], with more burnt sugars, before all those years in oak come to light.
    F: Burnt vanilla, sweet oily varnish and match smoke. It’s rather dry with lots of oaky grain vanilla cream. More burnt match at the death, more soft & sour vanilla cream and more oak with a dry grapey char. A deceptively long finish given time.
    C: Even though the majority of blends usually contain a 60/40 or 70/30 grain-to-malt ratio, best think of this as a ‘malt assisted’ single grain whisky. It’s the Invergordon that clearly leads. I perceive the Glenlivet to be a compliant passenger whilst the Glenfarclas has come along to mix things up a little. Very interesting indeed – a grain with a difference. Thanks to Chris from soundofwhisky.com for the sample.

    Scores a B[+]

  26. lachaineduwhisky did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    Enthusiasm 4/5
    • Nose
      Oh my! Cooked fruit that hesitates a little to discover at first, but that rise in power, accompanied by fresher fruits, as well as toffee. Sweet and greedy.
    • Taste
      Attack a little weak, but behind well melted. Very sweet and greedy again. Miss a little kick. Not very spicy (I'm told in the headset: it's a blend what did you expect?)
    • Finish
      Very long !

  27. Shane_IL scored this whisky 80 points Expert Senior

    Tasted at a Malt Mongers Israel evening.This had a great nose, everything one can expect from such a well aged spirit, but the palate was very bitter and felt unbalanced and the finish fizzled away very quickly after leaving more unbalanced bitterness behind it. Just not worth it for the price asked.Reviewed in my blog: https://iwriteaboutstuffilike.com/2017/01/21/malt-mongers-israel-aged-blends-night/
    • Nose
      Slightly spicy. Rich wood. Acetone. Slightly herbal, mainly parsley. Guava.
    • Taste
      Very bitter.Citrus. Pepper. Wood spice. Yellow cherries. Slight leather and gunpowder notes on the swallow.
    • Finish
      Short-medium. Leather. Bitter citrus. Gunpowder.

  28. Bram84 scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

  29. Finlaggan did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    A mix of 55% Invergordon grain and 45% Glenfarclas & Glenlivet

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