Glencadam 11 Years Old 2011 (Elixir)

An 11 year old Glencadam from Elixir Distillers, distilled in 2011, at 48%. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now bottled as a single malt in its own right. Its single malts are bottled at 46 percent, without chill filtration or added colour. Its stills carry lyne arms angled upward, raising the reflux for a lighter, fruitier spirit.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a fine, fruity spirit with a light body. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper orchard and tropical fruit. The clean, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a creamy honey. A soft, creamy texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and creamier with time.

At its natural 48% it is full and fruity. Pear drops, melon and a soft barley sugar, lifted by a soft oak. It is fruity and gently creamy, the delicate spirit shining through. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Highland single malt of real finesse.