Glencadam 14 Years Old 2011 Cask #800253 + 800257 (Club Qing)

A 14 year old Glencadam from Club Qing, distilled in 2011, from cask 800253 + 800257, at 53%, one of 244 bottles. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now bottled as a single malt in its own right. Its water comes from Loch Lee in the Cairngorms, piped down through the River Esk catchment. It was founded in 1825 by the merchant George Cooper, soon after the Excise Act made licensed distilling viable. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII.

Distilled from unpeated malt, for a fine, fruity spirit with a light body. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask, the wood deep in the fruity spirit. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and creamier. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 53% it is full and creamy. Melon, pear and a soft, creamy sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Soft pear and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a fresh, fruity Highland single malt.