Glencadam 14 Years Old 2006

A 14 year old Glencadam, a distillery bottling, from 2006, at 46%, 4800 bottles in all. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, founded in 1825 in Angus, in the eastern Highlands. Its single malts are bottled at 46 percent, without chill filtration or added colour. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII. Most of its make long went to blends; bottled single malt Glencadam was rare until a full range arrived.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a light, clean, creamy Highland spirit. It was fully matured in a Cognac cask, the wood deep in the fruity spirit. 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. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and fragrant. A light orchard fruit and a green herb, with a grapey, raisined warmth from the cask. Soft pear and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. A fresh finish closes on pear and a soft oak. This is a Highland single malt of real finesse.