Tasting Kitchen Table Reservation

Address: Cardhu Distillery, Knockando, Aberlour, Banffshire, AB38 7RY, UK

Cardhu distillery is located in Knockando in Speyside whisky region. Cardhu is approximately 30 mins drive from Elgin following the A941. We would always recommend using local taxi companies if you are not driving to Cardhu as public transport is not available to site. If you are using ‘What 3 Words’ the reference for Cardhu’s location is ‘resorting.mediate.inserting’. There is a train service with trains arriving into Keith station, a nearby town which is around a 30 minute drive from the station to Cardhu.

We recommend visiting Traveline Scotland to plan your route and to stay up to date on transport options.

Read more at https://travelinescotland.com/

Opening hours of the distillery

Please note that the distillery may be closed at short notice due to weather conditions. Please check our Google entry for up-to-date information before you visit us.

January - February: Thursday - Monday | 10:00 - 16:00

March and April : Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00

May- September: Monday- Sunday 10:00- 18:00

October - December: Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00

Discover the flavors of Cardhu and find your perfect drink, whether you are a loyal whisky lover, a fan of innovative cocktails or a lover of non-alcoholic refreshments.

The Cardhu Tasting Kitchen and Bar operates during the distillery’s regular opening hours. Please note that last orders are accepted 30 minutes prior to the distillery’s closing time.

Please note that all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

View the menu here. Please note that our menu is subject to change.

Aside from the story of Cardhu, the whisky visitor experience taps into the environment and surrounding area, with the grounds redeveloped to include a new dramming garden for visitors with spectacular views of the countryside.

A long-term investment has also been made in the environment with an orchard planted, which will bear fruit within the next two decades and reflects the orchard tones of Cardhu’s exceptional spirit.

Please note that as part of our sustainability efforts, we do not have general waste bins available at Cardhu. We ask visitors to kindly take any of their personal litter home with them after their visit.

We’re pleased to have consulted Euan’s Guide to ensure that we provide disabled access information upfront to give all our visitors the confidence to visit our distillery and enjoy the experience. Please do let us know if you have any specific requirements at the time of your booking and a member of staff will be in touch.

Accessible Parking

We have 4 accessible parking spaces which are closer to our entrance than our main parking area. The furthest being 50 metres and the closest 36 metres from the front entrance. There is a smooth path sloping upwards towards the parking area. We have steps leading up to our front door, however we also have an alternative stone ramp which also leads to the large double opening front door.

Disabled parking bays are located side of the Brand Home with ramp access to main reception. We have 1 disabled toilet within the visitor centre, plus a wheelchair lift for allowing access to our exhibition area and tasting kitchen. Whilst some of the tour route is not fully accessible, we do have a virtual tour and sensory props which can be used to take guests through the production process visually. We can also allow visitors with accessibility issues into the lower still house and warehouse. The retail space is fully accessible.

Accessible Areas

Our entrance is through a double doorway which has no height transition or lip from outside to inside. There is a lift from the entrance hall leading up to the Exhibition Hall and from here the lower Tasting Room and Story Room can both be accessed via double doors. The Gartec 3000 Platform Lift is 1000 x 140mm with a safety edge-under platform proximity sensors and a handrail on both sides. The floor gates are manual opening and measure 850 x 110mm.

We do have a further tasting area, the upper Tasting Room, which unfortunately can only be accessed via a spiral staircase which leads up from the Tasting Room in the lower area. Apart from the upper Tasting Room, all the other rooms are accessible.

During the tour experience, some areas are not suitable due to stairs. For any guests who cannot access these areas, we can still show our Spirit Safe and the Spirit Stills from a viewing area. We can also take visitors up the slight ramp and into our warehouse.

Accessible Experiences

Our experiences are quite engaging and immersive. Some of the experiences include theatrical lights and projection effects. This is a tour for everyone so if you have any concerns or require any other needs please get in touch or add a comment at time of booking and we will work to accommodate.

Accessible Toilets

The accessible toilet is just inside the entrance on the left, with a large archway entrance into the shop on the right. We have one accessible toilet which is located near to the front door on the lower level of the entrance hall. Our facilities include both handrails and a red cord indicator. Unfortunately, we do not have changing facilities on site.

Assistance Animals

Assistance dogs are permitted in the distillery and on tours. All other dogs are not.

Dog Policy

Well behaved dogs are welcome in our shops and bars. Please ensure your dog is under control, and closely supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Dogs must be kept on a short lead and must not be allowed to climb on furniture or touch the items in our shop.

Please understand that not everyone likes dogs and/or could have an allergy to your pet - please keep a respectful distance from our team and our other visitors.

Dogs are not permitted in any back of house areas. Dogs (except assistance dogs) are not permitted in the distillery or on any tours.

Due to the size of our bars and shops, we may need to limit the number of dogs permitted inside at any one time.

We reserve the right to ask you to leave should we have any concerns over your dogs’ behaviour or if your dog is disrupting other guests.

Children

Please note that we can accommodate a maximum of 16 people per group (advanced booking required) and children under the age of 8 are not permitted on tours due to health & safety reasons.

Telephone | 01479 874635 

Email | cardhu@malts.com 

The distillery is found in Knockando in the Speyside region of Scotland. It’s location makes it an ideal location to visit while travelling through the Scottish Highlands. 

Cardhu is pronounced “Car-doo”. 

Cardhu gets its name from the Scottish Gaelice Carn Gubh, meaning “black rock”. 

Cardhu is produced by Diageo, and is a key component of Johnnie Walker blended whisky. 

Certain expressions, such as the 18-year-old, are aged in sherry casks. The 18-year-old expression is predominantly aged in bourbon barrels.