Two new editions of Glencadam

Glencadam Distillery has just announced the release of two new editions of its whisky, both subjected to additional maturation (known as wood finish) in specially selected casks.

Glencadam 15yo Reserva de Madeira (46% vol.) is a whisky that spent most of its maturation period in American oak barrels, in which the bourbon was previously matured. For the final stage it was poured into Madeira barrels, brought especially for the occasion from the Portuguese island of Madeira. This whisky comes from the 2008 distillation, and after the entire maturation process, the contents of the selected barrels were enough to fill 5826 bottles. The whisky has not been cold-filtered or caramel-dyed. Retail price of a single bottle is £110.

According to the manufacturer's description, in its aroma we should find accents of fudge, gingerbread, caramelized pecans, dried pineapple and spices. In the taste we can expect notes of peach cake, sugar syrup, caramel cream, roasted walnuts, pralines and candied citrus peels.

Glencadam 17yo Reserva PX (46% vol.) also began its life in bourbon barrels. In its case, however, quarter cask sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels imported from Spanish Andalusia were selected for final maturation. This whisky was distilled in 2006. Their contents were enough to fill 4188 bottles, each of which costs £150 at retail.

The manufacturer's published taste notes for it mention accents of toffee, cherry, salted caramel, maple syrup, berries and cocoa in the aroma. On the taste we should expect forest fruit cake, black currants, licorice, cappuccino caramel cream, dates, dried plums and sweet spices.

Established in 1825, the Glencadam distillery is located in the town of Brechin in the eastern Highlands and is a relatively small Scottish malt whisky producer. It may not be counted among the most sought-after producers of this liquor, but among seasoned connoisseurs it enjoys considerable esteem. It is primarily known for its excellent quality whisky matured in bourbon barrels. Hence, the limited editions, finished in Madeira and sherry casks, are a valuable addition to the core offering.

For most of the distillery's life, whisky produced at Glencadam was used almost exclusively as an ingredient in blends. Even at a time when malt whisky was beginning a dizzying career, Glencadam was virtually unknown as a single malt whisky. The situation only changed with its acquisition by Angus Dundee Distillers in 2003. Initially rather shy, with one basic 15yo edition, Glencadam slowly began to make itself known as an excellent quality distillate that does not require exquisite casks, and looks great after maturation in bourbon casks, only emphasizing its character. The second decade of the 21st century brought a greater rash of diverse Glencadam editions, but invariably it was the editions matured in bourbon barrels that formed their core. Recent years have brought a somewhat more dynamic marketing effort on the part of the owner, who also owns the little-known - also undeservedly - Tomintoul distillery, which has translated into far greater recognition and popularity of Glencadam whisky. It also turned out, as it were, that the Glencadam distillate does very well when matured in other types of barrels, mainly sherry and port.

The current offerings of the House of Whisky Online include a number of Glencadam editions, including those bottled officially by the manufacturer, as well as unofficial editions from independent bottlers. Please visit.


[14.02.2024 / photo: Glencadam]