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Glencadam 10 Year Old

Crisp

0 790

@MaltActivistReview by @MaltActivist

18th Apr 2014

0

Glencadam 10 Year Old
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    90

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I have not consumed a lot of Glencadam in my life. At least at the time of writing this post. I picked up a few expressions early on in my journey as a malt-head and simply stored them away in an attempt to build a collection.

It was only recently that I decided to give this 10 year old a chance and, I must admit, I was quite pleasantly surprised.

Nose: Very crisp and full of sharp barley. Sweet brown sugar and macaroons on rice crackers with a touch of allspice. No, seriously. I'm not kidding. After a while the nose turns green with light edamame and salt. Though, it keeps opening up the longer you keep at it. After about 30 minutes there were scented mangoes, apricots and toffee. One of the better noses I've encountered of late.

Palate: The same crisp barley and toffee are back. Not the sweetest of deliveries so imagine an almost savory chunk of jaggery, toffee and mild creme brulee. The sweet notes are quite mild. However, subsequent sips bring about a white wine quality to it. Almost like a Chenin Blanc.

Finish: Minty medium with faint spices.

This is quite a lovely malt which ticks all the right boxes. But I feel it's holding onto dear life to be good. If it lets go it just might be sensational.

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7 comments

@hunggar
hunggar commented

I really enjoyed this one too, it's nice to see another member of the Glencadam 10 fan club. This one is amongst my favorite highlanders. It's also one of my favorite 10 yr olds, and I think it's quite underappreciated. Keep the great reviews coming!

10 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

Thank you @hunggar ! I thought this one was a pleasant surprise. I had actually picked it up on a whim more than anything else. Later read that Mr Murray spoke quite highly of it.

I think it's a wonderful spirit but I feel it holding back a touch for some reason. Maybe it needs its' time out in the open?

10 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

Wow, what a review, tabarakRazvi! 90 points for a 10-year old, that is quite something. I remember that I enjoyed the 21-year old when I tasted it a few years back but it had not crossed my mind to go for the 10-year old. I might have to change that. Thanks!

10 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

@tabarakRazvi: Yes, I see where you're coming from. For me this one doesn't go "all the way" in any given direction. It's floral, but not TOO floral. Fruity, but not TOO fruity, and delicate, but not TOO delicate. It doesn't push the envelope too far in any given direction. In that sense, it might feel somewhat restrained. But I encourage you to be patient. This is one of those malts that I love more and more each time I revisit it. That being said, I'm a fan of your reviews and your writing style (more so than Mr. Murray), so I was delighted yo see you praise this one (almost) as highly as I did.

@Pierre_W: This one's well worth it. I recently tried the 21 yr old and its also lovely, as is the 15. But imho you'd be hard pressed to find another 10 yr old that shines quite as brightly as this one!

10 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

@hunggar, many thanks for your advice. Now I feel tempted to go out and get a bottle!

10 years ago 0

@Magnus
Magnus commented

@tabarakRazvi, thanks for yet another intersting review. It is a sheer pleasure reading your insights. I bought a bottle of this malt 10 days ago, I have had several evening drams off this bottle and my jury is still out on this one. I sense almost all of the good stuff you have pointed out and by per se, judging the Glencadam only as a 10 Year Old from a not-so-fancy distillery, it's gorgeous, especially given its' reasonable price tag. But when I compare it to my favorites from Speyside (I know they don't fall into the same category), it falls a little bit short in the palate department. Especially after a hefty dinner. :) I will post my notes and review on this one one of these days and it will be very interesting for me, where the division lines between our impressions will fall. Cheers!

10 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@hunggar Went back and saw your take on this expression. Exceptionally brilliant. Loved it! I think we're all in agreement that few noses come as sharp and crisp as this one. I felt the fruits more intense after letting it breathe for over 30 minutes. Wonder if that happened to you as well? I will re-visit this one in month or so and see how it has changed, if at all, and report back!

@Magnus look forward to your take on it. Don't forget to tag me when you do or drop me a note. Since this is a delicate malt I'm not sure how well it would do after a big dinner. Try it as your first malt of the evening - I try and avoid eating anything for a few hours before. I read that if you're hungry your nose becomes more sensitive.

@Pierre_W Have a go at this one. As @hunggar says this one shines bright!

10 years ago 0