Founded in 1811 by John and Helen Cumming, the first still was situated at Cardow Farm on Mannoch Hill, using water from a nearby spring that is said to be softened as it rises through a layer of peat. Cardhu remains the only Scottish Malt whisky to have been first crafted by a woman.
The management of the distillery was passed from Helen to her daughter Elizabeth, but not until Helen was well into her 90s. Elizabeth soon acquired a new site not far from the original and moved the distillery in 1885. By the end of the 1800s, Cardhu was one of the top-selling Scottish malt whiskies and had gained a reputation as one of the very finest.
In 1893 when the Walker Family were searching for a whisky to help guarantee their blends, they turned to Cardhu for help, The marriage was perfect, and after a period of very rapid growth the Walker Family bought the Cardhu Distillery to secure the supply for the future, with John, Elizabeth’s son, being appointed to the board of the Walker Family Business. Cardhu quite rightly lays claim to being a significant part of the Johnnie Walker Blends’ success.
