The Exclusive Cask series is a different series by David Stirk in which he finishes whiskies usually in all kinds of odd casks. In this case he used a Gaja Barolo cask which is almost never used for whisky. I have only encountered a Longrow 7 yo (very very good) and the odd Edradour (very bad). There also is a Bruichladdich, but I think there hardly is a cask finish that Bruichladdich hasn’t used.

Nose:
Very much the character you expect from Glencadam. Quite minty, with a kind of dustiness. There is a slight hint of the wine cask but that is very much in the background and not in any way overpowering the distillery character.

Taste:
Vanilla, pepper, yellow fruit with lemon, grapefruit and some more sweet influences as well. I can’t really place it without making guesses.

Finish:
There is quite the spicy finish but also quite light. Its not extremely long but nice flavours keep popping up for a while. The barolo wine is hard to place here.

When I taste Glencadam I expect a fresh Highland character, whatever that means. A bit similar to Teaninich, not as herbal as Highland Park and not as waxy as Clynelish. More vanilla and light fruits without too much wood influence. That is exactly what I got here so I think the finish didn’t add too much. Just a little edge in the nose.

Glencadam 32, Creative Whisky Company Exclusive Cask, 1977, 48.7%, available at Drinks & Gifts in Krommenie for 135 euros.

Nose: 9
Taste: 9
Finish: 8
Overal experience: 8
Price/quality: +1

Total: 35 points