The second expression under review from the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection is Game of Thrones House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve. This expression is new to the United States, but has been available in select European markets since 2014 and has simply been repackaged for the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection. Cardhu Gold Reserve is an NAS (No Age Statement) single malt Scotch whisky from the Cardhu distillery, located in the Speyside region of Scotland.

Game of Thrones House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve Specifications:

• Spirit: Scotch.
• Classification: Single Malt.
• Region: Speyside.
• Age: NAS (No Age Statement).
• ABV: 40% (80 Proof).
• Cask Type: Toasted oak casks.
• NCF (Non-Chill Filtered)? No.
• Natural Color? No.
• Price Paid: $33.99 for 750 mL.

Tasting Notes:

• Color: Amber.
• Nose: Light and malty. Fruit (red apples), slightly grassy and yeasty, a hint of oak.
• Palate: Thin and watery. Sweet. Concentrated apple juice, vanilla, a hint of honey. Milk chocolate, toffee, faint baking spices, and bitter oak.
• Finish: Short. More apple juice, baking spices, toffee, and bitter oak.

This is my least favorite release in the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection. I don’t mind light bodied whiskies, but Game of Thrones House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve is too light. The nose is dominated by the malt notes, the mouthfeel is thin and watery, and the finish never develops. There are no off-notes or offensive aromas or flavors, but there’s nothing exciting or compelling enough to make you want to come back. I have no problem drinking this, but it’s the last bottle I’d reach for when in the mood for a dram. If you’re looking for a light bodied Game of Thrones single malt to sip on as you watch season eight, seek out Game of Thrones House Tully – Singleton of Glendullan Select or Game of Thrones House Stark – Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost instead.

Rating: C- (70–72%).

Diageo has officially unveiled the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection. First teased over the summer, the collection is a set of eight whiskies intended to “honor the great houses and the Night’s Watch” with single malts from Cardhu, Clynelish, Dalwhinnie, Glendullan, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, and Talisker.

The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection will be comprised of the following releases:

• House Baratheon – Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old, 40% ABV, SRP: $64.99
• House Greyjoy – Talisker Select Reserve, 45.8% ABV, SRP: $44.99
• House Lannister – Lagavulin 9 Year Old 46% ABV, SRP: $64.99
• House Stark – Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost, 43% ABV, SRP: $39.99
• House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve, 40% ABV, SRP: $39.99
• House Tully – The Singleton of Glendullan Select, 40% ABV, SRP: $29.99
• House Tyrell – Clynelish Reserve, 51.2% ABV, SRP: $59.99
• The Night’s Watch – Oban Bay Reserve, 43% ABV, SRP: $62.99

When the collection was first teased, it appeared to consist of both repackaged and original whiskies. We asked a Diageo representative for clarification and were told “White Walker by Johnnie Walker and all of the Single Malt Scotch whiskies in the Game of Thrones Collection are new to the U.S. However, Game of Thrones House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve and Game of Thrones House Baratheon – Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old are currently sold in select global markets.”

The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection will be available nationwide starting November 2018, alongside White Walker by Johnnie Walker, a Game of Thrones inspired blended Scotch whisky.

Photo credit: Diageo.
Source: Diageo.

Update: The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection Releases November 2018!

This morning we reported on the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection, a set of eight whiskies being released to “honor the great houses and the Night’s Watch” with single malts from Cardhu, Clynelish, Dalwhinnie, Glendullan, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, and Talisker.

Labels for all eight bottles have since popped up in the TTB database, revealing new information about the whiskies that will make up the collection:

• House Baratheon – Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old (40% ABV)
• House Greyjoy – Talisker Select Reserve (45.8% ABV)
• House Lannister – Lagavulin 9 Year Old (46% ABV)
• House Stark – Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost (43%)
• House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve (40% ABV)
• House Tully – The Singleton of Glendullan Select (40% ABV)
• House Tyrell – Clynelish Reserve (51.2% ABV)
• The Night’s Watch – Oban Bay Reserve (43% ABV)

It appears the Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, and Royal Lochnagar releases will be of existing whiskies in new Game of Thrones inspired packaging, while the Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Singleton, and Talisker will be new releases crafted specifically for the Game of Thrones collection.

Taking into consideration the retail price of the existing Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, and Royal Lochnagar whiskies, along with the young age statements and lack of age statements across the entire line-up, we predict all whiskies in the collection will land on retail shelves in the $35-$75 range.

The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection releases this fall alongside White Walker by Johnnie Walker, a Game of Thrones inspired blended Scotch whisky.

Source: ttbonline.gov (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8).