Cardhu distillery in Moray celebrates 200th anniversary
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Cardhu will start celebrating its 200th anniversary by hosting an event tomorrow to celebrate the prominent role that women have played in its long history.
The distillery was established in 1824 by Helen Cumming and her husband John, who had previously been a whisky smuggler.
It started on a seasonal basis after the harvest had been gathered, with Helen selling bottles of whisky to passers-by through the window of their farmhouse which stood on top of a hill.
Famously, if she saw the police coming she'd hang out red items on her washing line to warn the other illicit distilleries.
Cardhu then came into the very capable hands of Elizabeth Cumming, the couple's daughter-in-law.
Roselyn Burnett will be one of the speakers at tomorrow's event, which is being held to tie in with International Women's Day.
She said: "Cardhu has a history of pioneering women at its forefront, something unheard of when the distillery began 200 years ago.
"It took innovation and courage to go against the grain in the way the Cumming family did.
"With this in our heritage it was only right we did something bold to celebrate such an anniversary."
Cardhu is also celebrating by releasing a limited-edition bottling inspired by the innovative women at its core.
Attendees to the free event, A Celebration Of Cardhu's Pioneering Women, will be treated to a guided tasting featuring the 12-year-old anniversary dram.
They will also hear from a panel of experts, including members of the team who distilled the 200-year anniversary dram, as well enjoying a welcome drink, a cocktail masterclass and music from a local artist.
Eve Murphy, the whisky specialist who led on the development of the special release, said: "Myself and the team at Cardhu have worked hard to make the 200-year-anniversary bottle something which speaks to the inspiring example which Helen and Elizabeth set two centuries ago.
"Never afraid to test boundaries, the women who were, and remain a huge part of Cardhu have once again achieved something special with this beautiful red-wine-cask edition."
Book to join the celebrations HERE
