Glencadam 15 years old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Five years more than the ten year old, the same strength, the same approach. It is an honest way to show what time alone does to a spirit when nothing else is changed along the road.

The expert's description

Glencadam 15 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered and with no added colour.

Where the ten year old is bright and citrus-driven, the fifteen years have given the whisky a creamy texture and pulled it towards nuts and baking. The fruit is still there, but it has grown deeper and less sharp. The strength is the same, and the whisky is still neither chill filtered nor colour-adjusted.

The bottling won gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2020 and scored 90.5 out of 100 in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible in 2014. Glencadam is not a name that takes up much room in whisky conversation, but the awards the distillery brings home stand in sharp contrast to how little it is talked about.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet malt and vanilla mixed with citrus and toasted nuts. There is a baked note behind it that the ten year old does not have.

Palate

Sweet and creamy. Sugared almond and panna cotta, with dried apple, nutmeg and cocoa powder. The texture is clearly fuller than in the younger release.

Finish

Long and calming. Nuts and vanilla ebbing away into a lightly spiced close.

Specifications

Name: Glencadam 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Glencadam
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5021349761334

Flavour profile

Creamy · Nutty · Vanilla-sweet · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

Glencadam is owned by Angus Dundee plc, which is also behind the Tomintoul distillery in Speyside. It is one of the few remaining independent family companies in Scotch whisky, and they run both distilleries without a large group behind them.

See our full range of Glencadam

Frequently asked questions about Glencadam 15 Year Old

What do the five extra years do compared with the ten year old?

They give texture and depth. The ten year old is bright, citrus-driven and direct, while the fifteen has picked up a creamy mouthfeel and moved towards nuts, almond and baking. The fruit is the same family, but softer at the edges.

Are the extra five years worth it compared with the ten year old?

That depends on what you are after. If you want freshness and citrus, the ten year old stands perfectly well on its own. If you want a fuller, creamier whisky with more to unpack, the five years make a real difference — it is not just a higher number on the label.

Why do you hear so little about Glencadam?

Because the distillery is small and does not spend much on marketing. It is owned by Angus Dundee, which works primarily with blends, and single malt releases have never been the big business for them. See the other Scottish distilleries in our Scotch Whisky selection.

Is it peated?

No. Glencadam uses unpeated malt across the range, and there are no peat notes in the whisky.

How should it be served?

Neat, in a tulip-shaped glass, at room temperature. Give it ten minutes — the creamy texture and the nuts only come forward once the whisky has had air. Water is rarely necessary at 46%.

Does it suit dessert?

Yes, it is good with something almondy or nutty — an almond cake, a panna cotta or toasted nuts with sea salt. The almond notes in the whisky meet the dessert directly.

How long does the bottle keep once opened?

A couple of years without trouble if the cork seals well and the bottle is stored dark. At 46% the whisky is less sensitive to air than a 40% bottling, but drink the last third within a year or so.