Glencadam Reserva De Porto

This official Glencadam, at 46%. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, revived under Angus Dundee ownership in 2003. It is the only distillery in Angus, and the last in Brechin since North Port closed in 1983. It became a core malt of the Ballantine's blend after Hiram Walker bought it in 1954.

The spirit was drawn from a long fermentation, giving a light, clean, creamy Highland spirit. It was fully matured in a Tawny Port cask, the wood deep in the fruity spirit. Without an age statement, a fresh pear note and vanilla point to good years in cask. Because the upward lyne arms keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses. Long ageing turns the fresh pear towards tropical fruit, honey and a gentle spice. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and creamier with time.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and fragrant. A clean, fruity sweetness with a floral lift, with a nutty, raisined red fruit from the cask. A green apple and a gentle citrus lift the middle. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a fruity, easy going Highland single malt.