Glencadam Origin 1825

Glencadam from the distillery, at 40%. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, revived under Angus Dundee ownership in 2003. Its single malts are bottled at 46 percent, without chill filtration or added colour. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII. Most of its make long went to blends; bottled single malt Glencadam was rare until a full range arrived. It is the only distillery in Angus, and the last in Brechin since North Port closed in 1983.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a creamy, fruity make with real elegance. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the fruity spirit. Carrying no age, soft vanillin and orchard fruit suggest a fair spell in oak. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses.

At 40% it is smooth and fruity. Pear drops, melon and a soft barley sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is Glencadam's creamy, fruity Highland character.