Glencadam 10 years old Single Highland Malt Whisky 46%

No finish, no sherry, no tricks. Glencadam 10 Year Old is the distillery core release, and it is built to show what the house in Brechin actually makes when nothing has been laid over the top.

The expert's description

Glencadam 10 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered and with no added colour.

The 46% is a deliberate choice. Many distilleries put their entry release at 40%, but Glencadam has held on to the higher strength, and it gives the whisky noticeably more body. It is neither chill filtered nor colour-adjusted, which is unusual at that end of a range.

The bottling has won several awards and scored 94.5 out of 100 in the 2014 edition of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible. That is a high mark for a ten year old entry whisky, and it says something about the Glencadam spirit not needing many years of cask time to work.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet malt and vanilla, with warm grass, pear and fresh meringue. Bright and welcoming the whole way.

Palate

Soft and full. Orange marmalade, bourbon sweetness and charred cask, with lemon sorbet cutting through the sweetness. The 46% gives it the weight a ten year old rarely has.

Finish

Long and calming. Vanilla and citrus drying away slowly with no bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Glencadam 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky 46%
Distillery: Glencadam
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5021349761327

Flavour profile

Fruity · Vanilla-sweet · Citrus · Soft · Malty

Did you know?

Glencadam was founded in 1825 by the merchant George Cooper in Brechin. That makes the distillery a contemporary of the first wave of legal Scottish distilleries that appeared after the excise legislation of 1823.

See our full range of Glencadam

Frequently asked questions about Glencadam 10 Year Old

Why 46% and not 40%?

Because the extra strength gives body. At 40% many entry-level whiskies lose exactly the texture that makes them interesting. Glencadam has chosen 46% and dropped chill filtration at the same time, which together give a fuller mouthfeel.

What does non-chill filtered mean?

That the whisky has not been chilled and filtered to remove the compounds that make it turn cloudy with ice or water. The filtration also strips some flavour and texture, so an unfiltered whisky usually carries more weight — in return it may go slightly hazy.

How does Glencadam compare with other Highland whiskies?

Lighter and more fruit-driven. The distillery pot stills have lyne arms angled upwards, which creates extra reflux and a lighter spirit. The result is tropical and orchard-fruity rather than heavy. See the other Scottish styles in our Scotch Whisky selection.

Is it peated?

No. Glencadam works with unpeated malt, and there are no peat notes. The charred cask note in the palate comes from the oak, not from smoke.

Is it a good place to start with single malt?

Yes. The profile is soft and fruity with no sharp edges, and 46% is still approachable. At the same time you get an unfiltered, uncoloured whisky, which is a good way to learn the difference from the outset.

How is it best enjoyed?

Neat, at room temperature. At 46% water is not needed, but a single drop can pull the citrus notes forward if you prefer. Give it five minutes in the glass first.

Does it work with food?

It goes well with bright desserts — lemon mousse, meringue or an apple tart. The orange marmalade and citrus notes in the whisky meet the dessert without competing with it.