Glencadam 10 Years Old 2011 Cask #800140 (van Wees)

This Glencadam was bottled by van Wees, a 10 year old, distilled in 2011, from cask 800140, at 46%, one of 309 bottles. 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. The distillery markets itself on a deliberately delicate house style, all orchard and tropical fruit.

It was distilled in onion shaped copper pot stills, for a creamy, fruity make with real elegance. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper orchard and tropical fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the light Highland spirit. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit. Because the upward lyne arms keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years.

At 46% it is fruity, creamy and soft. Pear, melon and a light barley note, lifted by a soft oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. A fresh finish closes on pear and a soft oak. This is Glencadam's creamy, fruity Highland character.