Glencadam PX Sherry Cask Finish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Pedro Ximénez is the sweetest sherry there is. The grapes are dried in the sun before pressing, giving a wine so thick it is close to syrup. The casks then work quickly on a whisky — even one as bright as Glencadam’s.

The expert's description

Glencadam PX Sherry Cask Finish is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American bourbon casks with a finishing period in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, bottled at 46%.

The main maturation takes place in traditional American oak bourbon casks, where the bright distillery fruit gets room. Only then does the whisky go into selected PX casks, and the short finish is enough to lay dark fruit and chocolate in without erasing the starting point. The whisky is non-chill filtered and carries natural colour.

PX casks are the most powerful in the sherry family and are normally used sparingly. On a spirit like Glencadam’s — light, fruit-driven and without much weight of its own — it is a balancing act, and the finish is therefore kept short enough that the whisky is not run over.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried fruits and dark chocolate, with spice and a rich sherry sweetness. Beneath the sweetness sits a brighter fruit note from the bourbon casks.

Palate

Full and rich. Raisin, fig and dark chocolate, with a spice that builds towards the end. The 46% and the absence of chill filtration give a clearly oily mouthfeel.

Finish

Medium to long. Sherry sweetness and cocoa drying slowly into a lightly nutty close.

Specifications

Name: Glencadam PX Sherry Cask Finish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Glencadam
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American bourbon casks with a finishing period in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: PX Sherry Cask Finish
EAN no.: 5021349609704

Flavour profile

Sherried · Dark fruit · Chocolate · Spiced · Rich

Did you know?

Glencadam sits inside the town of Brechin itself, not out in the countryside like most Scottish distilleries. The town has grown around the site over two hundred years, and production today takes place in the middle of an ordinary residential area.

See our full range of Glencadam

Frequently asked questions about Glencadam PX Sherry Cask Finish

What kind of sherry is Pedro Ximénez?

The sweetest type of sherry, made from grapes dried in the sun before pressing. The result is a very concentrated wine with raisin, fig and dark syrup, so the casks leave a marked imprint even over a short period.

Why does the PX cask only come at the end?

Because a whole life in PX would have covered the bright Glencadam spirit completely. By letting the main maturation happen in bourbon casks and only finishing in PX, the distillery character is preserved beneath the sherry layer.

How does it differ from Reserva Andalucia?

The type of sherry. This one has PX, which is sweet and syrupy, while Reserva Andalucia is rounded off in oloroso, which is drier and nuttier. Same idea, two different expressions of sherry.

Is it too sweet?

That depends on taste. There is clear sweetness, but it is balanced by spice and by the dryness the bourbon casks laid in. If you prefer dry whiskies, the madeira or white port releases are better calls. See the other Scottish styles in our Scotch Whisky selection.

Is it peated?

No. Glencadam works with unpeated malt. The dark, almost burnt note in the middle comes from the sherry cask and not from peat.

How is it best enjoyed?

Neat, at room temperature, in a tulip-shaped glass. Water is not necessary at 46% and can wash the sherry notes out quickly. Give it five minutes in the glass instead.

Does it suit dessert?

Yes. It works well with dark chocolate, dried figs or a chocolate fondant. The cocoa and raisin in the whisky meet the dessert directly and pull the same way.