Taste: Glencadam 15 year old

Finally a Glencadam appears on Whisky Rover. This actual sample is from one of the Jolly Topper raffles which translates as a lucky dip. Given some of the samples I've received recently the journeys have been fun but the tastes at times lacking. Here's hoping that this unfashionable distillery delivers.

For many years Glencadam was overlooked and a major contributor to blends, being overlooked as a single malt. Closed in 2000, the new owners reopened the distillery in 2003 and this release will have been distilled and maturated under the previous ownership. Angus Dundee Distillers have set about raising the profile of Glencadam as a single malt with a new line up of age varieties and finishes available today. 

As always the details:

Distillery: Glencadam
Age: 15 years
Strength: 40%
Price: £44
Additional: see below as this entry has been replaced

Colour: weathered hay.

Nose: a very delicate, shy nose. I'm going to let this air slightly with the glass topper off and try again. Diluted orange, toasted oats, a touch of honey, apricots and a whiff of strawberry. A very reserved example, lets move on.

Taste: a very soft whisky that lacks character. Cut grass, a real sense of oak and a little honeycomb.

Glencadam relaunched the 15 year old at 46% in 2009 so this sample is from an outdated release. Originally released in 2005 this 15 year old was the first official single malt example in many years with its production going into blends. I must say on the basis of this 40% bottling I wouldn't buy a full sized bottle, so the 46% current edition can only benefit from the higher strength and character. Now that would be an interesting comparison.