Glencadam

A 10 year old Glencadam from the Highlands – bottled at 46%. A grassy, fruity whisky with hints of lemon and oak spice opens up on the nose. On the palate you first have the fine lemon that you had in your nose before. Finally, there is a wonderful harmony between the natural sweetness and oak tones of the whisky.

The Glencadam 13 Year is a limited edition bottling to celebrate the reopening of the distillery in 2003. This is now the fifth batch of this bottling, which is characterised by the floral and fruity notes typical of the distillery.

The Glencadam is aged for 15 years in ex-Bourbon barrels. These give the single malt a sweet and gentle aroma with notes of oak, lush grass and sweet malt. The Glencadam 15 is neither chill filtered nor colored. Was bottled with 46%.

Glencadam, which translates as "valley of the wild goose", went into operation in Brechin in 1825. Most of its production is used for the Ballantine's brand. After 180 years in the whisky waiting room, Glencadam stepped out of the shadow of the blending industry onto the stage of the distillery bottlers. But rather quietly. Their "East Highlands" single malt made from unpeated malted barley is still considered an insider tip today. The whiskies, up to 30 years old and neither coloured nor chill-filtered, are made just as in the founding days of the small distillery in two original copper pot stills. Thanks to their design, they produce a particularly delicate and smooth spirit. The reason: the lyne arms point upwards at an angle of 15 degrees, not downwards.

The founding date shows that Glencadam was licensed early after the “Excise Act” massively reduced taxes on whiskey. At the same time, an official foundation during this period indicates that there were probably “illicit stills” on site before that, i.e. illegal burning took place. The Glencadam 18 years proves that it was worth waiting (at least) 180 years for single malts from the distillery. The new edition of the elegant standard bottling, which has been awaited for years, matures in bourbon casks and creates autumn anticipation. Aromas of tropical fruits and spices on the nose, followed by a complex and fruity palate before ending in a soft, warm and lingering finish.

Tradition is writ large at Glencadam. Since its foundation in 1825, the small Highland distillery has been working according to the same methods – and can even count as one of the few in Scotland a functioning water wheel among its interior fittings and circuit. Despite all the love of tradition, time does not stand still any more than the mill wheel. And so Glencadam is also experimenting.

This cask from the Glencadam distillery with the number 6031901 matured for a total of 28 years in a refill sherry puncheon and was bottled at 41.0% in 2020.

Tradition is held in high regard at Glencadam. Since its foundation in 1825, the small Highland distillery has worked with the same methods, and as one of only a few in Scotland it even counts a working water wheel among its fittings and power supply. For all its love of tradition, time stands still here no more than the mill wheel does. And so Glencadam also ventures into experiments.

Tradition is writ large at Glencadam. Since its foundation in 1825, the small Highland distillery has been working according to the same methods – and can even count as one of the few in Scotland a functioning water wheel among its interior fittings and circuit. Despite all the love of tradition, time does not stand still any more than the mill wheel. And so Glencadam is also experimenting.

Tradition is writ large at Glencadam. Since its foundation in 1825, the small Highland distillery has been working according to the same methods – and can even count as one of the few in Scotland a functioning water wheel among its interior fittings and circuit. Despite all the love of tradition, time does not stand still any more than the mill wheel. And so Glencadam is also experimenting.

Tradition is writ large at Glencadam. Since its foundation in 1825, the small Highland distillery has been working according to the same methods – and can even count as one of the few in Scotland a functioning water wheel among its interior fittings and circuit. Despite all the love of tradition, time does not stand still any more than the mill wheel. And so Glencadam is also experimenting.

Tradition is writ large at Glencadam. Since its foundation in 1825, the small Highland distillery has been working according to the same methods – and can even count as one of the few in Scotland a functioning water wheel among its interior fittings and circuit. Despite all the love of tradition, time does not stand still any more than the mill wheel. And so Glencadam is also experimenting.

This 2016 Glencada was bottled in 2026 exclusively for Kirsch Import’s 50th anniversary. The whiskey was aged for 10 years in first-fill bourbon barrel No. 2591 and bottled at a cask strength of 62.4%.

The Glencadam American Oak Small Batch Reserve matured exclusively in former bourbon barrels. This gave the whisky its typical aromas of vanilla, tropical fruit and sweetness.

Glencadam Reserva Andalucía is an excellent bottling finished in oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía.

Glencadam demonstrates the complex influence of butts, barrels and barriques – all of them pre-loaded with (liqueur) wines – in a new wood finish series, consisting of five neither chill-filtered nor coloured single malts at ideal drinking strength. The Glencadam Reserve de Bordeaux received a finish in former Merlot wine casks. The post-maturing in Merlot Wine Barrels from Bordeaux leaves traces of rhubarb crumble, cocoa and oak spice.

The complex influence of butts, barrels and barriques – all of which are pre-aged with (fortified) wines – is demonstrated by Glencadam in a new Wood Finish Series, consisting of five neither chill-filtered nor coloured single malts at ideal drinking strength. The Glencadam Reserve de Burgundy received a finish in former Pinot Noir wine casks. These Pinot Noir casks give it a sweet, oily character with notes of blackcurrant, coffee and ginger.

Glencadam Reserve de Sauternes received a finish in former Sauternes wine casks. These gave it aromas of peach, mango, honey and orange.