Glencadam

Translation: Valley of the Wild Goose
Region: (Eastern) Highlands

Here's Malts & More ...

The Glencadam distillery has been owned by the Angus Dundee Distillers for several years. The family business, led by founder Terry Hillman (now 79!) And his children Tania and Aaron, may be rather unknown to us, but is one of the greats in the whiskey industry. The Hillmans account for nearly 5% of the total Scotch export! In addition to the second distillery Tomintoul various Vatted Malts and especially numerous blends to the portfolio of the company. And so Glencadam is more than "just" a malt distillery. In 16 large tanks, various malt and grain whiskeys wait to be married and bottled in the in-house bottling plant. This "sideline" gives Glencadam some economic security. Which can never hurt.

A little history

The distillery was founded in 1825 by George Cooper, not far from the South Esk River in Brechin. However, the whiskey production water is being pumped from the more distant Loch Lee to Brechin.
The owners changed frequently in the next decades. A drastic change marked the year 1954, when Hiram Walker took over the distillery and Glencadam became an integral part of the successful Ballantines Blend. Hiram Walker went to Allied Lyons in 1987, later to Allied Domecq.

From September 2000 until the takeover by Angus Dundee in 2003, the distillery was closed. 2005 was the first bottling under the new owner, a 15-year-old out. Meanwhile, under the name Glencadam again a complete own line of malts of different ages is marketed.

What do I actually have in the glass?

Glencadam has a fairly creamy full body with a long finish, the honey, vanilla and many fruity-floral notes give the hand flavor. Interesting.

3 reasons to love Glencadam

1) Because Glencadam valiantly holds up the flag of the Eastern Highlands.
2) Because the malt tastes so nice of fruit honey. Or honey fruits?
3) Because there would be no malt distilleries without successful blends.

The one drama for the lonely island

Yes, admittedly: The 35-year-old "Douglas Laing Director's Cut" from the Sherry Butt is priced already Christmas and birthday together. But tasteful too.

numbers and facts

Address: Brechin, Angus DD9 7PA
Founded in 1825 by George Cooper
Status: active
Owner: Angus Dundee Distillers
Capacity: approx. 1,500,000 liters
1 wash still (14,000 l)
1 spirit still (14,000 l)
Water: Loch Lee
Visitor Center: Yes
Telephone: +44 (0) 1356/622217
Website: www.glencadamdistillery.co.uk