The Glencadam distillery (also known as GlencaRdam) is said
to have been founded in the year 1825 by one George Cooper.
Like so many other distilleries Glencadam experienced a massive
number of changes in their ownership during the 19th century,
but for once I'm not going to get into that - not yet anyway.

A more interesting change in ownership for most readers took
place in 2003 when Angus Dundee Distillers bought Glencadam
that had been closed down three years earlier by the previous
owners, Allied Distillers. The fresh owners didn't waste a lot of
time and quickly resumed production at Glencadam distillery.

A press release from 2003 put it like this: 'An English company is to reopen
the (...) Glencadam Distillery, creating up to 50 jobs. The London-based
family company Angus Dundee (...) has bought the redundant plant, which
shut down three years ago. The company intends to start distilling whisky
immediately, after successfully concluding negotiations with the previous
owner, Allied Distillers, last week. Preparatory work to get the distillery up
and running will bring further employment opportunities to the area.'

Angus councillor Joy Mowatt added: "There have been strong
rumours over the past few weeks but now it's confirmed, I am
highly delighted and look forward to Glencadam opening again.
Hopefully, it can be used as a visitor attraction."
 
So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth...

Terrance Hillman, chairman of Angus Dundee Distillers, revealed that the
distillery will be reopened as soon as possible. He said: "We will reopen
Glencadam as soon as necessary work to start the distillation is complete.
We will create employment in the distillery, as well as work to bring the
distillery back to production and complete its refurbishment. We look
forward to becoming part of the local community and feel sure we
will enjoy its cooperation with our project."

Trivia about Glencadam:  When Allied closed the distillery in 2000 due to a surplus of production
(all the employees except one were made redundant) many people expected that this was the end.
Fortunately, Angus Dundee Distillers from London stepped in in 2003 to revive Glencadam again.

Angus Dundee brought more than fifty years of experience in producing whisky, gin and vodka to
the table. They produce and blend mostly for their own labels and private labels for customers.
Examples are Angus Dundee, The Dundee, Glen Parker, MacKillops Choice and Scottish Royal.

By the time I write this I've tried my 'required minimum' of six expressions of Glencadam.
Rest assured that I will try to sample some more soon...
 

Glencadam 1987/1997 (40%, G&M Connoisseur's Choice)
Nose: Aroma flows over the edge of the glass. Sweet. Raisins? A lot of different elements.
Disappears after 10 minutes, but comes back with sweet vengeance.
Taste: Sweet. Long and warm, followed by a dry finish.
Score: 71 points - this malt would have done slightly better at 43 or 46%, or even cask strength.

Clencadam 15yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2005)
Nose: M alty and fruity and a little MOTR - something reminded me of the Tomintoul 16yo. Spicy.
You have to work at it. Pine resin. Some more organics with time, then it sweetens out. Candy.
Wow! Something on the outer edges of citrussy. More straightforward lemon later on. Raw rhubarb.
Oil? A little grassy? Not a lot of 'definition'. Hint of dishwater. Rubber & cream in the background.
Taste: It's malty and a little bitter on the palate. A little lemony as well, drying out in the centre.
A bit weak, but it has a long, solid finish. Very drinkable but falls a bit short on the palate.
Score: 78 points - almost reaches the 80's thanks to an interesting nose.

Glencadam 15yo 1989/2005 (58.3%, Cadenhead's, Bottled February 2005).
Nose: sweet and mellow with a whiff of paint thinner. Not a lot of personality, I'm afraid.
Taste: I found loads of chocolate. This tastes a bit like liqueur filled bonbons. Lovely!
Score: 80 points - not terribly refined or complex, but very nice on the palate indeed.

Glencadam 16yo 1985/2001 (43%, Chieftain's).
Nose: Light. Sweet and malty. Oily. Faint, old fruits. Nice balance. Organic overtones.
Cookies? Very pleasant, actually. A malty malt in the 'Gordon & MacPhail School of Malts'.
Veggy. Camphor? Much more powerful after 5 minutes with salt and smoke coming forward.
Taste: Creamy. Rather weak. Menthol? Nondescript start, evolving into a light sweetness.
Heather honey. Bigger burn in the center. Modest and not very pronounced. Dry finish.
Score: 77 points - good nose, mediocre palate. We've heard that song before...
Not enough personality and 'spunk' to leave a lasting impression.

Glencadam 1974/2001 (59.9%, MacKillop's Choice)
Nose: Rich, sweet and polished at cask strength. Adding water makes it much more 'alcoholic'.
Taste: Sweet and a tad oily at cask strength. Fresh. Surprisingly drinkable. More resinous with water.
Score: 87 points - this one needs a good dose of water and time to recover. It climbed from 84 to 87.

Glencadam 32yo 1973/2006 (46.4%, The Whisky Fair 'Artist Edition', 87 Bottles)
Nose: Sophisticated, growing fruitier and bolder quickly. Black currants. Cassis. This is lovely!!!
Taste: A tad perfumy in the start, evolving into a fruity centre and a dry, slightly tannic finish.
Score: 88 points - by far the best Glencadam I ever tried. Here the time in the cask paid off...