Glencadam 10 Years Old 2012 (East Village Whisky Company)

A Glencadam of a 10 year old chosen by East Village Whisky Company, distilled in 2012, at 51.6%, one of 239 bottles. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now bottled as a single malt in its own right. Its stills carry lyne arms angled upward, raising the reflux for a lighter, fruitier spirit. It became a core malt of the Ballantine's blend after Hiram Walker bought it in 1954.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a fine, fruity spirit with a light body. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the fruity spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper orchard and tropical fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the light Highland spirit.

At its natural 51.6% it is full and fruity. A delicate, tropical fruit with a soft body, lifted by a soft oak. The mouthfeel is light and creamy, carrying the fruit. It finishes light, fresh and faintly creamy. This is a light, fruity Highland single malt.