Celebrate International Women’s Day at Cardhu Distillery
Two pioneering women: Helen and Elizabeth Cumming helped to shape the Scottish whisky industry.
Helen Cumming, known for her determination and entrepreneurial spirit, founded Cardhu Distillery in the early 19th century along with her husband, John. Her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, later transformed it into the site we know today. Their legacy continues to inspire the industry, and visitors to Cardhu’s historic visitor centre can explore their remarkable story in depth. Cardhu proudly serves as one of the ‘Four Corner of Scotland Distilleries’ of Johnnie Walker.
One of the oldest distilleries in Scotland
Cardhu, one of Speyside’s oldest distilleries, has a rich history that dates to 1811 when John and Helen Cumming turned their farm into a whisky distillery. By 1824, it was doing so well that John applied for one of the first distillery licenses after the Excise Act of 1823.
When Helen took charge, she quickly made a name for herself in the whisky world. She even sold the original distillery equipment to William Grant, who used it to start Glenfiddich, another distillery on the Malt Whisky Trail! Helen was also clever when it came to avoiding taxes, she disguised the distillery as a bakery and would serve tea to tax collectors while signalling other distillers with a red flag.
In 1893, Cardhu was bought by John Walker & Sons, but the Cummings stayed on to run the distillery. The distillery kept growing, adding more stills as the years went by.
The name "Cardhu" comes from the Gaelic "Carn Dubh," meaning "Black Rock," reflecting the rugged Speyside landscape. Today, part of Diageo, Cardhu keeps its traditions alive while focusing on sustainability. A statue of Elizabeth Cumming raising the red flag stands as a tribute to the Cummings' lasting impact on the whisky industry.