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Why This Bottle?
We’ve ticked off Tyrell, Lannister, Greyjoy, Night’s Watch and Stark. Time to light things up with Cardhu House Targaryen. Cardhu is a Speyside distillery known for easy-going drams with a dab of spice. Match that with the fiery Targaryen crest, and you get a whisky meant to feel warm but lively – a little dragon breath without the scorch.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distillery | Cardhu, Speyside |
| Series | Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age | No Age Statement |
| ABV | 40 % |
| Launch Price | ~£65 |
| My Score | 7.4 / 10 |
First Sniff
One pour, two minutes’ rest. Straight to the point:
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Red apple – fresh, juicy.
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Honey – like runny stuff on toast.
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Soft smoke – tiny wisp, gone quick.
Sweet nose with a flicker of charcoal.
Taste (Plain Words Only)
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Fruit burst – apples, a bit of ripe plum.
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Warming spice – think cinnamon sweet, not chilli hot.
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Light oak smoke – drifts in, then fades.
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Medium finish – honey sticks, spice lingers, smoke says goodbye.
Easy to sip. No bite, yet plenty going on.
Score Sheet
| Area | 5 Points Max | My Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Nose | 5 | 3.5 |
| Palate | 5 | 3.8 |
| Finish | 5 | 3 |
| Value | 5 | 3.5 |
| Total | /20 | 13.8 → 7.4 / 10 |
Line-Up So Far
| Bottle | Style | ABV | My Score | One-Word Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagavulin Lannister | Heavy peat | 46 % | 8.5 | Fiery |
| Oban Night’s Watch | Rich malt | 43 % | 7.8 | Dark |
| Cardhu Targaryen | Fruity spice | 40 % | 7.4 | Warm |
| Dalwhinnie Stark | Sweet & crisp | 43 % | 7.2 | Frosty |
| Clynelish Tyrell | Light & coastal | 51.2 % | 7.5 | Fresh |
| Talisker Greyjoy | Briny pepper | 45.8 % | 7.0 | Stormy |
Three bottles left: Royal Lochnagar Baratheon, Singleton Tully, and the Mortlach
Simple Food Pairings
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Apple pie – mirrors the fruit note.
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Cured ham – salt cuts the sweet.
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Milk chocolate – smooth and safe; lets the spice pop.
Handy Tips
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Water: One teaspoon unlocks more apple and sheds a bit of smoke.
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Ice: Will chill the spice; fine on a hot day, but I skip it.
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Shelf life: Sweet drams fade faster; aim to finish within 9-12 months.
Bottle Versus Full Set
Cardhu House Targaryen is a crowd-pleaser: no peat wallop, just fruit, spice, and a tiny hint of smoke. Ideal if Lagavulin felt too heavy and Dalwhinnie too soft.
Final Sip
Cardhu Targaryen is warm, sweet, and smoky, like a crackling hearth after a long flight on a dragon's back. I give it 7.4 / 10 – solid middle of the pack, easy on newcomers, still fun for seasoned drinkers.
Want to explore the full story behind the Game of Thrones whisky collection? Don’t miss our comprehensive guide to the Game of Thrones whisky collection, where you’ll find everything from tasting notes to collector tips.
Grab a glass, swirl it, and tell me your score on X @lochsofwhisky.
Next up: Royal Lochnagar House Baratheon.
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