Cardhu Distillery – previously called Cardow – is beatifully located high on the hills on the north side of the Spey Valley with extensive views to the south, it is set in attractive grounds ideal for picnics (complete with picnic tables).

Cardhu from the Gaelic 'black rock' was liscensed in 1824 by the local farmer John Cumming and the company joined Johnnie Walker in 1893. Court judgements from Cardhu’s early days as illicit distillery are framed and hang proudly on the wall of the distillery manager’s office. It is said that John Cumming relied on the aromas of Helen Cumming's home baking to conceal the presence of the still. Cumming who was a farmer for whom distilling was a part-time activity choose to take out a license after the promulgation of the Excise Act. His daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, now a widow, replaced the worn-out equipment in 1884. She was successfull and renowned as "The Queen of the Whisky Trade". Today you can visit the old office, the malt-barns and the kiln, crowned by the pagoda heads. The rest of the distillery was built in 1960. About 30% of the production is sold as single malt, the remaining entering in blends, mostly Johnnie Walker. The distillery was called "Cardow Distillery" after the original farm until 1981.