Distillery
Glencadam
Scottish producer of single malt Scotch whisky based in Brechin (Angus), known for a delicate, fruity style and a range that includes aged expressions and several series finished in wine and port casks.
- Brechin · Angus (Eastern Highlands) · United Kingdom
- Since 1825
- 9 products
The story
Glencadam was founded in 1825 in Brechin, in the county of Angus. Over the centuries it passed through several ownership changes and periods of suspended production; after being temporarily mothballed in 2000, the distillery was bought by Angus Dundee Distillers in 2003, which relaunched production. In recent years Glencadam celebrated its bicentenary and reopened to the public with a visitor centre.
Production philosophy
Maintain traditional production methods ('traditional handcrafting') with emphasis on the quality of the new make and controlled experimentation with different cask types to achieve soft, fruity and well-balanced expressions. The core range is bottled at natural colour and non-chillfiltered to preserve the character of the whisky.
Territory
Brechin, Angus, Scotland (Eastern Highlands)
Awards and recognition
Numerous international medals and recognitions reported by the producer: for example, American Oak Reserve 98/100 IWSC 2022; Glencadam 15 Years Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (record 2024-2025 for some expressions); Glencadam 13 Years Gold IWSC 2025; various IWSC and SFWSC awards for multiple expressions (see official sources for details on individual bottlings).
Production method
Traditional production using water drawn from the River North Esk, unpeated malted barley, milling in the historic mill, mashing in a traditional rake mash tun and a 5-tonne tun, fermentation in Oregon pine washbacks and double distillation with the stillman selecting the 'middle cut'. Maturation takes place in historic dunnage warehouses.
Distillation
Traditional double distillation (wash still and spirit still) with separation into foreshots, middle cut and feints; the stillman selects the middle cut to obtain the new make.
Ageing
Maturation in oak casks stored in historic dunnage warehouses; use of finishes in wine/port/sherry casks for some expressions; many core range bottles are bottled at natural colour and non-chillfiltered.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Brechin
- Categories
- single malt Scotch whisky
- Highland single malt
- cask-finished single malt
- aged whisky
- Raw materials
- water (River North Esk)
- unpeated malted barley
- distillers' yeast
- Casks and ageing vessels
- American oak ex-bourbon barrels
- Oloroso sherry casks
- Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks / quarter casks
- White Port barrels
- Port pipes
- Madeira casks
- Sauternes wine barrels
- Pinot Noir (Burgundy) barrels
- Merlot (Bordeaux) barrels
- Representative products
- American OAK Réserve Bourbon Barrel - 70cl - Boxed - Glencadam
- Glencadam 10 years - 70cl - Boxed
- Glencadam 13 years Sauternes Wine Cask Finish - 70cl - Boxed
- Glencadam 13 y.o. - 70cl - Boxed
- Glencadam 15 years - 70cl - Boxed
- Glencadam 15 years White Port Cask Finish - 70cl - Boxed
- Glencadam 17 years Pedro Ximenez Sherry Quarter Cask Finish - 70cl - Boxed
- Glencadam 25 years - 70cl - Wooden case
- Origin 1825 - 70cl - Boxed
- Reserva Andalucia Sherry Cask - 70cl - Boxed
- Whisky Glencadam 10 Years 70cl - Tube
What makes it distinctive
- Founded in 1825; historic production in Brechin, Angus.
- Owned by Angus Dundee Distillers since 2003.
- Traditional production methods and historic facilities (e.g. Porteus mill, rake mash tun).
- Distillation water from the River North Esk; unpeated malt.
- Extensive use of finishes in wine, port, sherry and ex-bourbon casks.
- Core range bottled at natural colour and non-chillfiltered; many bottlings at 46% ABV (some releases at 40% such as American Oak Reserve).
- Restoration and reinstallation of the internal water wheel in 2021 and opening of the visitor centre for the bicentenary.