Glencadam 7 Years Old 2011 Cask #800103 (van Wees)

A Glencadam of a 7 year old chosen by van Wees, distilled in 2011, from cask 800103, at 46%, one of 321 bottles. Glencadam is a Highland single malt known for a delicate, fruity, creamy style. Its water comes from Loch Lee in the Cairngorms, piped down through the River Esk catchment.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a creamy, fruity make with real elegance. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and lactones as coconut over pear, apple and a creamy note. 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. The clean, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out 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 light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. A long, fruity finish carries a creamy honey. This is Glencadam's creamy, fruity Highland character.