Whisky Review/Tasting: Langatun Cardeira Finish

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Switzerland, from the Langatun Distillery.
Type: Swiss whisky with a unique Cardera (Cadera) finish.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Distilled in October 2010 and bottled in May 2017, making it a 6-year-old whisky. It underwent a special finish in Cadera casks, which previously held a variety of Portuguese red wines for eight years.
Age Statement: 6 years.
Color and Clarity: The whisky is uncolored, displaying a light red hue typical of port wine finishes.
Bottle Design: The bottle is a half-liter size, with a unique identifier of being bottle 41 out of 435. The ABV is 49.12%, a nod to the distillery's hometown zip code.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky offers a harmonious blend of fruity, caramel, and vanilla notes, with a notable absence of bitterness due to the wine cask finish.
Unique Characteristics: The Cadera finish imparts a distinct fruitiness and a light red wine influence, comparable to a port cask finish but without the overt wininess. The alcohol is well-integrated, not overpowering the nose despite its 49% ABV.
Comparison: The flavor profile is likened to a good Scotch, with the added dimension of fruitiness from the red wine cask finish.

Cadera Finish Explanation: The unique Cadera finish comes from a young bodega wine producer, Herdada de Cadera, in Portugal. The casks, having matured red wines for eight years, impart a unique flavor profile to the whisky.
Distillery Insights: The Langatun Distillery is described as small, with a friendly proprietor and a large tasting room for events. It's located in a region of Switzerland that's easily accessible via the autobahn.

Swiss-Portuguese Connection: The whisky embodies a unique cultural blend, with Swiss distillation and Portuguese wine influences. The proprietors of Herdada de Cadera are Swiss, further linking the two countries in this whisky's creation.
Geographical Context: The Langatun Distillery's location in Switzerland and its connection to the zip code 4912 are highlighted, emphasizing its local significance.

"That's exactly what the doctor ordered for me." - Horst Luening, expressing his personal approval of the whisky's flavor profile.
"It's not that cheap, but nothing from Switzerland is cheap." - Acknowledging the higher price point typical of Swiss products.

Langatun Cardeira Finish is a unique Swiss whisky with a 6-year age statement.
It features a special finish in Portuguese red wine casks from Herdada de Cadera, imparting a fruity, caramel, and vanilla flavor profile without bitterness.
The whisky is uncolored, with a light red hue reminiscent of port wine finishes.
The distillery is noted for its accessibility, friendly proprietor, and tasting room facilities.
The whisky represents a cultural blend of Swiss distillation techniques and Portuguese wine influences.

Whisky Enthusiasts looking for unique cask finishes and flavor profiles.
Scotch Lovers interested in exploring Swiss whiskies with comparable qualities to Scotch.
Travelers in Switzerland seeking local distilleries with distinctive offerings.
Wine and Whisky Connoisseurs intrigued by the integration of wine and whisky flavors.