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<\/a><\/p>\nThe Cardrona may sound like a boutique hotel, but it\u2019s actually a New Zealand single malt whisky brand, now celebrating its 10th anniversary.<\/p>\n
The operation recently brought three whiskies from its growing collection to the U.S., all showcasing Cardrona at various stages of its aging process \u2014 specifically 3, 5, and 7 years old. The operation ages its whiskies, all single malts made from locally grown grain, in a variety of cask types, including ex-sherry, ex-pinot noir, and\/or ex-bourbon casks, all aged in New Zealand\u2019s Cardrona Valley, on the South Island.<\/p>\n
We received two of the whiskies \u2014 the 3 and 5 year old bottlings \u2014 for review. Details on what\u2019s in each follow. Note that all are packaged in 375ml decanters exclusively.<\/p>\n
The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky \u201cJust Hatched\u201d is a cask strength bottling aged three years. The youngest expression in the range, it\u2019s a solera-style marriage of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks intended to showcase the whisky\u2019s promise and future.<\/p>\n
The nose intrigues with notes of gingerbread and butterscotch, the former surprisingly sharp at times. The aromatics are increasingly exotic as they develop in glass, offering a sharp potpourri note and an intense baking spice character, complementing the gingerbread with a more piercing, peppery quality.<\/p>\n
The palate is much sweeter than I\u2019d imagined, laden with honey and lemon, creating a sort of lemon tea character from the start. That tea leaf note takes hold as the palate evolves, touched a bit with notes of anise and some duskier spices \u2014 more dried, powdered ginger plus a pinch of clove and mace. Increasingly bracing as it develops, the whisky finishes on a reprise of lemon \u2014 expressed oil and peel, mostly \u2014 with undercurrents of tobacco and polished wood.<\/p>\n
All told it is surprisingly well-developed for a 3 year old whisky \u2014 and while the price is hard to stomach at $258 for a full bottle equivalent \u2014 it has plenty of charm to recommend it.<\/p>\n
128.8 proof.<\/p>\n
A- \/ $120 (375ml)<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cGrowing Wings\u201d is aged five years and is also a solera bottling of bourbon and sherry cask aged whiskies. Also cask strength, just a touch less boozy.<\/p>\n
The family DNA doesn\u2019t wander far here, though the nose packs in more citrus than I expected, a sign of the impact of the sherry cask aging. (You can see it in the bright amber color, too.) That racy ginger \u2014 more fresh than dried this time out \u2014 is present, along with a bolder black pepper element.<\/p>\n
The palate feels hotter than the Just Hatched expression, if only by a small amount, and I preferred it with a splash of water rather than at full bottle strength. The citrus notes again dominate here, both peel-heavy orange and that bright lemon found in the three year old. The midpalate takes a slightly musky turn as well-toasted granary notes come to the fore. Lots of vanilla lingers on the finish, along with tannic walnut shells and a light touch of menthol.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a well-crafted whisky that\u2019s coming into its own \u2014 but I found the younger expression more exuberant.<\/p>\n
127.8 proof.<\/p>\n
B+ \/ $120 (375ml)<\/strong><\/p>\ncardronadistillery.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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The Cardrona New Zealand Single Malt Just Hatched<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\tUSD120<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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