Glencadam 10 Years Old 2012 Cask #900012 (A.D. Rattray)

A 10 year old Glencadam from A.D. Rattray, distilled in 2012, from cask 900012, at 60.1%, one of 309 bottles. Glencadam is a gentle, fruity Highland malt of orchard and tropical fruit. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII. It was founded in 1825 by the merchant George Cooper, soon after the Excise Act made licensed distilling viable. It is the only distillery in Angus, and the last in Brechin since North Port closed in 1983.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a fine, fruity spirit with a light body. A Moscatel cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and creamier. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses.

At its natural 60.1% it is full and fruity. Pear, melon and a light barley note, with a grapey, floral sweetness from the cask. The body is light and creamy, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. The finish runs delicate, fruity and creamy. This is a fruity, easy going Highland single malt.