Cardhu 18 year old

John and Helen Cumming are the founders of the distillery. Although they would distill whisky earlier, they got an official license in 1824 and production began with their new acquired stills.

Due to the site’s position (on top of a hill), Helen would see and warn the rest of farmers and distillers when excise officers or police would approach, by raising a red flag in the distillery.

The distillery’s name at that time would be the “Cardow Distillery” and after John passed away in 1846, his wife Helen and their son Lewis would continue running the distillery.

The distillery grew in production and reputation and when Lewis passed away in 1872 Helen would support Elizabeth Cumming (Lewis’ wife and her daughter in law) to continue the family business.

In 1885 the distillery would be rebuilded in a different location, using the same water resources as before. The old equipment would be sold to William Grant and helped him set up the Glenfiddich distillery.

Finally the distillery was sold to John Walker & Sons under the condition that her family would hold shares and run the distillery.

Diageo would be the new owners when they bought the distillery in 1930 and after the expansion and reconstruction of 1960, in 1981 they would also change the name from the distillery from “Cardow” to “Cardhu”

Its 3.4 million liters per year capacity will be used as the basic ingredient in Johnny Walker blends, and in single malt production as well.