Cardhu 5 years old - b. 1980s - 75cl

The Cardhu 5yo (5 years old) is a rare, historic bottling from the Cardhu Distillery dating back to the 1980s; it was produced primarily for the Italian market as a "Pure Highland Malt."

The Story in Brief:
- Origins of Cardhu: The distillery was founded in 1811 by former whisky smuggler John Cumming and his wife, Helen Cumming. Helen is often referred to as "The First Woman of Whisky" because she largely managed the illicit distilling operations in the early days and frequently outwitted the customs officers. They obtained an official license in 1824.
- The 5yo bottling: Cardhu released this youthful 5-year-old expression in the early 1980s. At that time, there was a huge appetite in Southern Europe (particularly Italy) for accessible, light, and fruity Scotch malt whiskies.
- Character: Having matured for only five years, this is a lively, fresh, and grassy dram with distinct notes of green apple, pear, citrus, and a hint of vanilla—very different from the fuller, sweeter 12-year-old version most commonly known today.
- Current status: Today, this 5-year-old bottling is a true collector's item for enthusiasts of "old-style" bottlings and early Italian whisky imports.