Cardrona Distillery Launches ‘Full Flight’, Two Seven-year-old Single Cask Whisky Expressions – Middle Earth Whisky News
Cardrona Distillery launches ‘Full Flight’, two seven-year-old single cask whisky expressions
New Zealand’s premier single malt producer, Cardrona Distillery, has unveiled two milestone single-cask whiskies to mark seven years in oak. The new ‘Full Flight’ expressions have been carefully hand-selected by Distillery Founder Desiree Reid from two very special ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks.
Created to showcase the progress of Cardrona’s single malt, the new additions will join Cardrona’s portfolio of award-winning single cask whiskies, which includes their critically acclaimed ‘Just Hatched’ single cask releases, which sold out in a matter of days, and their five-year-old counterpart ‘Growing Wings’.
The rich Cardrona Full Flight Single Cask Release Sherry bottling was matured for seven years in a González Byass Oloroso sherry butt then transferred to a Pedro Ximénez butt for a decadent finish.
Bottled at 67.2% ABV, flavours of hot cross buns laden with spice, combines with sun-scorched nectarine and a drizzle of Cardrona’s signature borage flower honey. £125 for 350ml.
The exquisite Cardrona Full Flight Single Cask Release Bourbon was matured in an ex-Breckenridge Bourbon cask for seven years. With a 66.9% ABV, flavours of honeyed Central Otago apricots, seasoned with applewood and vanilla are finished with a dollop of rich cream custard. £125 for 350ml.
Founder Desiree Reid said: “We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of ‘Full Flight’, taking us another step closer towards the release of our signature ten-year-old, and symbolising the last stage of our progress report journey.”
Cardrona’s whiskies start life as a single malt base spirit, made from barley, yeast and Cardrona Alpine water. The whisky is then distilled in the distillery’s two copper pot stills, from Forsyths of Rothes, Scotland.
For whisky lovers and collectors, Cardrona’s progress report series maps the spirit’s journey towards its future signature 10-year-old. Cardrona’s icon is named in honour of its guard, the New Zealand falcon – kārearea. It is often found perched at the end of the barrel house, and the bird famously stood on the neck of the wash still as it was craned into the distillery.
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About Cardrona
Cardrona is a unique brand, distilling hand-crafted luxury spirits in New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps to share with the world. The Cardrona story is infused with the magic of the Cardrona Valley and the incredible vision and determination of founder, Desiree Reid, who sold her family farm to pursue her dream of building a modern, family-run distillery in her native New Zealand. She chose the Cardrona Valley for its unspoilt tranquillity, crisp clean air and the availability of superb quality local ingredients, perfect for foraging across the seasons. Most importantly, it gave her access to the crystal-clear, mineral-rich Alpine waters of New Zealand’s highest mountain pass for production.
