Glencadam 25 Years Old Cask #Batch 4

A distillery release of Glencadam, a 25 year old, cask Batch 4, at 46%, 1030 bottles in all. Glencadam is a gentle, fruity Highland malt of orchard and tropical fruit. Its single malts are bottled at 46 percent, without chill filtration or added colour. It is the only distillery in Angus, and the last in Brechin since North Port closed in 1983. It was founded in 1825 by the merchant George Cooper, soon after the Excise Act made licensed distilling viable. Its water comes from Loch Lee in the Cairngorms, piped down through the River Esk catchment.

It was distilled in onion shaped copper pot stills, for a creamy, fruity make with real elegance. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into mango, beeswax and a creamy honey. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the light Highland spirit.

At an approachable 46% it is fresh and clean. A light orchard fruit and a green herb, lifted by a soft oak. A green apple and a gentle citrus lift the middle. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a gently fruity, creamy Highland malt.