Glencadam 38 Years Old 1972 Cask #7822 (van Wees)

This Glencadam was bottled by van Wees, a 38 year old, distilled in 1972, from cask 7822, at 46%, one of 192 bottles. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, the last distillery in Brechin and the only one in Angus. It was bought by Angus Dundee Distillers in 2003, who also own Tomintoul, ending a three year closure. Its single malts are bottled at 46 percent, without chill filtration or added colour. It was founded in 1825 by the merchant George Cooper, soon after the Excise Act made licensed distilling viable.

The spirit was drawn from a long fermentation, giving a light, clean, creamy Highland spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending honey and dried fig as beeswax and a waxy note linger. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at 46%, it is light and creamy. Melon, pear and a soft, creamy sweetness, lifted by a soft oak. Soft pear and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. It finishes light, fresh and faintly creamy. This is Glencadam's creamy, fruity Highland character.