Glencadam 9 Years Old 2011 Cask #800015 (Elixir)

A 9 year old Glencadam from Elixir Distillers, distilled in 2011, from cask 800015, at 63.9%, one of 249 bottles. Glencadam is a Highland single malt whose upward angled lyne arms give a light, fruity spirit. In the 1890s the Glasgow blender Gilmour Thomson used its malt in a Royal blend said to be favoured by Edward VII. 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 worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a light, clean, creamy Highland spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and lactones as coconut over pear, apple and a creamy note. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool, racked Highland warehouses.

At its natural 63.9% it is full and fruity. Pear, apple and a soft cream, lifted by a soft oak. Melon, pear and a creamy honey fill the middle. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a gently fruity, creamy Highland malt.