Glencadam 32 Years Old 1977 (Douglas Laing)

This Glencadam was bottled by Douglas Laing, a 32 year old, distilled in 1977, at 54.9%, one of 296 bottles. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now bottled as a single malt in its own right. The distillery markets itself on a deliberately delicate house style, all orchard and tropical fruit. Its water comes from Loch Lee in the Cairngorms, piped down through the River Esk catchment.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a fine, fruity spirit with a light body. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the fruity spirit. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of tropical fruit and old oak. Because the upward lyne arms keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years. The clean, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a creamy honey.

At a natural 54.9% it is full and creamy. Pear, apple and a soft cream, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is light and creamy, carrying the fruit. Green apple, citrus and a soft oak see it out. This is a fruity, easy going Highland single malt.