Situated in the heart of the Spey Valley, between Rothes and Grantown on Spey in Moray Council Area, Cardhu Distillery takes its name from the Gaelic for Black Rock which describes the farmhouse where the first distillation took place. It was established in 1811 by John and Helen Cumming as an illicit farm distillery but was formally licensed in 1824. Given that her husband was convicted three times for illegal distillation, it seems likely that the stills were operated by his wife and therefore this was the first distillery to be run by a woman. In 1885, the distillery was rebuilt nearby but continued to be operated by the Cumming family. For 200 years, this has been one of the constituent malts of the world-famous Johnnie Walker blends, and John Walker and Sons bought the distillery in 1893. Several of the buildings were rebuilt in 1960.
Now operated by Diageo Scotland, the Edinburgh-based subsidiary of the London-based drinks multi-national, which has a turnover of £17.1 billion (2023). In addition to its role as part of Johnnie Walker, Cardhu produces a range of single Speyside malts. In 2003 the distillery began producing a 'blended malt' which proved controversial. The distillery opened a visitor centre in 2006, which was refurbished 2019-21 as part of Diageo's commitment to whisky tourism and promoting the Johnnie Walker brand.
