We’ve not had sight of a Society Glencadam since 2015 – this welcome return for distillery #82 comes in the form of an 8 year old drawn from a 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel.
Nose: Fresh and rather leafy – apricots are joined by tomato plants, greenhouse vines and dried soils. In the background, rich tea and caramel wafer biscuits with a dollop of whipped cream. Reduction adds citrus oils and gentle waxes as well as planed wood and cracked black pepper.
Taste: The arrival is biscuit forward – digestive crumbs and crumble mix with shaved milk and white chocolate and cashew nuttiness. The mid-palate reveals orange peels and white pepper together with more interesting herbalness – basil, sage and sun-dried leaves and vines. Dilution expresses rolled pastry whilst also emphasising the cask much more prominently – big pepperiness and with a substantially more drying palate.
Finish: Medium to long, boiled vegetables, chopped leafy greens and moist soils.
A Glencadam which ably combines bakery notes with a curious vein of green leafiness. Despite falling in the Young & Spritely category, I find there’s plenty of depth and interest here. An opening dram, but an adventurous one. Good stuff.