Glencadam 18 Years Old 1965

An 18 year old Glencadam from Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1965, at 40%. Glencadam is a gentle, fruity Highland malt of orchard and tropical fruit. It is the only distillery in Angus, and the last in Brechin since North Port closed in 1983. Its single malts are bottled at 46 percent, without chill filtration or added colour.

It was drawn from a long fermentation, building a soft malt of orchard fruit and a creamy sweetness. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard fruit turning to mango, pineapple and a waxy honey. A soft, creamy texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and creamier with time. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the light Highland spirit.

Bottled at 40%, it is light and creamy. Apple, apricot and a gentle spice, lifted by a soft oak. The mouthfeel is light and creamy, carrying the fruit. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a Highland single malt of real finesse.