And we got make our trip to NZ so that means a visit to Cardrona. Everything they make today starts the same way - malted barley, water and yeast. Whisky is proofed up to barreling strength (forgive me as I did not note that) and then the vodka and gin are proofed up to 95% and then water is added to bring them back down to bottling strength. Since they all start the same, the vodka and gin have that expected floral note of new make. They barrel and age along the lines of single malt scotch so nothing is less that 3 years old. They did admit to wanting to get to some 10 year old but that will not be until 2026. Even their liquers start off with the same mash setup and are bottled at 45%. Our guide was grinning when he noted that. The Falcon has a mild sweet and mild pepper nose. Slow legs in the glass. A toffee creamy sweet that moves to the pepper on the palette. 52% ABV for this one. The Sherry Single Cask has a sweeter nose with the raisin sherry notes backing it up. Moderate legs in the glass. This taste is a tart note that follows a mild sweet. Also 52% ABV. The orange and butterscotch liquers taste as you would expect but they are not overly sweet or syrupy. The orange tasted as though they just simmered fresh juice to concentrate it and then added their new make and water to get to the 45% ABV in the botlle. The gin botanicle list includes juniper, coriander, angelica root, lemon, orange and rose hip. The high proof new make taste with these added makes for a truly nice flavor.

Posted by NTXMatt at 2025-03-08 20:06:18 UTC