Glencadam 22yo – Abbey Whisky / The Rare Casks – 55.3%

Distilled in 1991 and aged in a refill bourbon cask for 22 years.

Having previously been mothballed, the distillery was brought back to life in 2003 and is the only existing distillery in the region of Angus.

“The dram possesses a distinct haze which hints at the true rustic character you would expect from a cask strength malt bottled in its truest natural form, without chill filtering or colour additives.”

Read on for my tasting notes…

Colour: Straw to light gold.

Nose: Malty barley, sun kissed and old, leather, oak and a wee bit of wax based polish. After a while to open up there’s a background sweet fudge and a citrus tone.

Palate: Thick and more creamy/buttery than expected, a gentle introduction considering the abv which builds slowly but surely into a good pinch of spice amongst the honey almond and malt.

Finish: Andrex. Soft, strong and long! Ok maybe that’s just odd. It’s a long warming finish, well balanced and sweet.

Water: Sweetens up the nose a wee bit. Only a few drops needed! Reduces the spice enough so you can hold it on the tongue for ages which makes it more pleasurable (for me anyway!). Allows the oak to poke a gentle, balanced hand up.

Thoughts: Bit of a gentle giant! A great mid evening dram to relax with your feet up to. The creaminess is apparently due to the very soft water used in the distilling process. A great example of Glencadam produced under the previous management of Allied Domecq (after which the distillery was sold to the current owners Angus Dundee).

Available: Abbey Whisky – £76.95

Thanks to Abbey Whisky for the sample.