A few years ago, I referred to Glencadam as an "underestimated, hidden gem." Since then, Glencadam's whisky range has significantly expanded, and the owners have intensified their product promotion efforts. The distillery naturally sought to increase brand awareness, and in 2018, plans for a visitor center were submitted to the Angus Community Council, finally receiving approval in May 2019. The plans include expanding the current office building, with a shop and visitor center on the ground floor, and a coffee lounge and terrace on the second floor. If the project proceeds smoothly, the visitor center is expected to open in mid-to-late 2020. Once upon a time, there were eight operational distilleries along the east coast between Aberdeen and Dundee. Following the 1980s downturn in the Scotch whisky industry, only two survived—Glencadam and Fettercairn. However, the number has now increased to three, with a new distillery called Arbikie built in 2014. Glencadam Distillery is equipped with one traditional 4.9-ton cast iron mash tun; six stainless steel fermentation tanks with a fermentation time of 52 hours; and one pair of stills. The heat exchanger outside the wash still has been in use since the 1950s and may be the first of its kind in the industry. The distillery currently has two dunnage warehouses built in 1825, three dunnage warehouses built in the 1950s, and one modern racked warehouse. The distillery currently operates seven days a week, producing 16 batches of mash per week, which can be converted into 1.3 million liters of new make spirit. The distillery also produces a large volume of blended whisky. These whiskies are blended in 16 huge steel tanks adjacent to the distillery and shipped from there to a bottler in Coatbridge, eastern Glasgow. Core expressions include Origin 1825, 10 Years, 13 Years, 18 Years, 21 Years, and 25 Years. The core range also includes two cask finishes—a Port finish 17 Years and an Oloroso sherry finish 19 Years. Due to the distillery's dormancy between 2000-2003, the 15 Year Old was discontinued for several years, but in 2019 it returned to the core range. The latest limited edition includes a sherry single cask 30 Years distilled in 1978.
History
Located about one mile outside the ancient Brechin Royal Castle, Glen Garioch (the name means "Valley of the Wild Geese") was founded in 1825 by Mr. Thomas and Mr. Ruston. In 1852, Alexander Milne Thomson took over the distillery. In 1893, when Glen Garioch Distillery Ltd was established, the distillery was supervised by Glasgow blenders Gilmore Thomson & Co. In July 1954, the directors of Gilmore Thomson & Co. sold the distillery to Hiram Walker for £83,400. In the same year, Hiram Walker, this Canadian company, acquired Scapa, and in 1955, Pulteney was also added to its portfolio. In 1985, Philip Morris noted during a visit to the distillery: "It is kept very tidy, consistent with all distilleries belonging to Hiram Walker, and has not become uninteresting despite being next to the municipal cemetery." Two years later, Hiram Walker was acquired by Allied Lyons (its spirits division became Allied Distillers the same year). Glen Garioch became an important malt base for Stewart's blends. In 2000, Allied mothballed the distillery, then sold it in 2003 to Angus Dundee Ltd, a family-owned blending company established in London. In November 2007, the distillery installed a large-scale blending facility. Angus Dundee began releasing Glen Garioch 15-year-old single malt from 2005. Subsequently, several products of different ages were launched.
Curiosities
Both of Glencadam's stills feature upward-sloping lyne arms, which increase reflux and create a lighter spirit. Another unusual feature is that the wort is first heated externally in a heat exchanger connected to the wash still, then pumped into the still where it must pass through a 'diffuser' to heat the remaining wort. This greatly increases copper absorption, making the spirit even lighter and more delicate.
Timeline
George Cooper established the distillery.
David Scott took over the distillery.
Alexander Miln Thompson became the distillery owner.
Glencadam Distillery Company was established.
Gilmour, Thompson & Co. Ltd. took over the distillery.
Hiram Walker took over the distillery.
Distillery refurbishment.
Allied Lyons acquired Hiram Walker Gooderham & Worts.
Allied Lyons was renamed Allied Domecq.
Distillery mothballed.
Allied Domecq sold the distillery to Angus Dundee Distillers.
A 15-year-old was released following the change of ownership.
A redesigned 15-year-old and a new 10-year-old were released.
25-year-old and 30-year-old were released in limited quantities.
Port cask finish 12-year-old, sherry cask finish 14-year-old, 21-year-old, and 32-year-old were released.
30-year-old was released.
25-year-old was released.
Origin 1825, port cask finish 17-year-old, oloroso sherry cask finish 19-year-old, 18-year-old, and 25-year-old were released.
13-year-old was released.
The 15-year-old returned to the core range, and the second edition 25-year-old was released.
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