Glencadam 38 Years Old 1982 (Europe Exclusive)

Glencadam from the distillery, a 38 year old, from 1982, cask 1, at 50.1%, 661 bottles in all. Glencadam is a Highland single malt, long a core flavour of the Ballantine's blend. Most of its make long went to blends; bottled single malt Glencadam was rare until a full range arrived. Its water comes from Loch Lee in the Cairngorms, piped down through the River Esk catchment. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a fine, fruity spirit with a light body. An Oloroso cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and creamier with time.

Bottled at a cask strength 50.1%, it is concentrated. Pear drops, melon and a soft barley sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft pear and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. A long, fruity finish carries a creamy honey. This is Glencadam's creamy, fruity Highland character.