“Diageo Special Releases 2021” tasting at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 22 June 2022. Whisky #1 Nose (neat): Light honey, grains, peach, pear, gooseberry, elderflower, marshmallow. There is that floral note which is typical of whiskies that receive red wine cask maturation. Adding water causes the wine cask influence to amplify and over time, and as this sits and rests a dusky floral aroma as of musk-flavoured sweets arises. This musky note eventually becomes the dominant aroma on the nose. Palate: A spiky arrival with orchard fruits and some berries as the main flavour. Marshmallow again in the development together with thinned honey, barley sugar, caramel, vanilla and hot spice. The texture is good but not particularly special. With the addition of water, it becomes more syrupy but also develops bright acidic heat. Finish: Medium. Grainy, citrus. Water turns the finish a touch sour and grassy with black pepper in the aftertaste. An above average whisky but not a great one, at least for my taste. It has a pretty nose combined with a somewhat harsh palate and I much preferred it neat than with water, which tends to amplify all the spiky and hot characteristics. I didn't get around to trying last year's Cardhu Special Release, but I did review the 2019 version here and gave it 80/100. Oh well, the score is slowly improving, I guess. Core range Cardhu expressions at low strength have always seemed rather middle-of-the-road to me with their tame honey and grain profile that works well for a filler malt in blends, but lacks the character required for a really good single malt. This cask-strength expression follows a different path entirely, but I didn't think the journey is rewarding or that the entry price is justified. Apart from completionist set collectors I can’t imagine anyone buying this. A straw poll at the end of the tasting revealed it to be the favourite malt of the night for exactly 0 people. “Above Average” : 81/100 (3 stars)