Glencadam 38 Years Old 1982 (Cask 2350)

A distillery release of Glencadam, a 38 year old, from 1982, cask 2350, at 45.7%, 220 bottles in all. Glencadam is a gentle, fruity Highland malt of orchard and tropical fruit. It is the only distillery in Angus, and the last in Brechin since North Port closed in 1983. It was founded in 1825 by the merchant George Cooper, soon after the Excise Act made licensed distilling viable. Most of its make long went to blends; bottled single malt Glencadam was rare until a full range arrived. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a soft malt of orchard fruit and a creamy sweetness. A Port cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of tropical fruit and old oak. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses.

At 45.7%, undiluted, it is rich and fruity. Pear, apple and a soft cream, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Soft pear and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. Green apple, citrus and a soft oak see it out. This is a light, fruity Highland single malt.