Glencadam Distillery

About the distillery

Glencadam is an East Highland distillery in Brechin, Angus, with a history that begins in 1825. Today, it is an active single malt distillery under Angus Dundee Distillers, and it stands out especially for its long continuity, its clear craftsmanship tradition, and its new visitor centre, where you can follow the story up close.

History

Glencadam was established in 1825, shortly after the Excise Act from 1823, when David Scott built the distillery on land he leased from his father-in-law George Cooper. In 1891, Glencadam Whisky became an important part of Gilmour Thomson and Co Ltd’s Royal Blend, which was among King Edward VII’s favourite whiskies. Five years later, in 1896, Charles Cree Doig drew up plans for the distillery. During both World Wars, production temporarily closed, partly because alcohol production was restricted to protect the supply of raw materials, and partly because malt distillation was banned. In 1954, Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd bought the distillery and modernised it thoroughly. When Allied Distillers took over Hiram Walker in 1987, Glencadam followed suit, and in 2000 the distillery was put on hiatus with the last cask filled on 28 August. The restart came in 2003, when Angus Dundee Distillers bought the site; that same year, the first mashing and production run took place under the new owners, and 36 casks were filled on 2 September. Since then, the distillery has distinguished itself with both the revival of historical elements—among them the waterwheel in 2021—and the opening of a new visitor centre in 2025.

Raw materials and production

Glencadam describes its whisky as made in the same traditional, craft-driven way as in 1825. The overall production approach is consistent throughout the site, and the core range emphasises natural colour, no chill filtration, and bottling at 46% vol. A historic waterwheel has been part of the distillery’s machinery, where, in the 19th century, it helped drive the mill and mash tun, and in 2021 a new 32-paddle wheel was reinstalled. In connection with the visitor centre, Doig Ventilators and other architectural details have also been taken directly from the distillery’s own historical references, so craftsmanship and place are closely linked. The supplied material does not provide details about grain types, mashing, fermentation, or the number of stills, but it clearly shows that Glencadam uses a thoroughly traditional line as its most important production feature.

Maturation and cask types

Maturation takes place along two tracks. One is the classic bourbon line, where several of the core expressions are matured in ex-bourbon or bourbon casks, including first fill ex-bourbon casks for the 13-year edition and bourbon casks for the 18-year edition. The second is the cask finish series, where the whisky receives a finishing period in casks that previously held, among other things, Oloroso Sherry, Madeira wine, White Port, Tawny Port, Bordeaux, Amarone, and Calvados. Glencadam Reserva PX is also linked to the historic dunnage warehouses, and the 17-year-old expression distilled in 2006 was first matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks and then either married or finished in PX quarter casks. This gives the range a clear span between clean bourbon maturation and more distinctive finish experiments.

Whiskies

The core range consists of five whiskies: Origin 1825, 13, 15, 18 and 25 Years Old. All of them lean toward the fruity and elegant Glencadam style, but the different maturation periods add more depth and roundness the longer the whisky has been laid down. In addition, there is a cask finish range with expressions such as Reserva Andalucía, Reserva de Madeira, Reserva de Porto Branco, Reserva de Porto Tawny, Reserva PX, Reservé de Bordeaux and Riserva di Amarone. Limited editions include, among others, the 2006-distilled 17 Years Old Reserva PX Quarter Cask, while the archive shows that this release has also been placed as a historic or discontinued reference. Overall, the portfolio provides a clear picture of a distillery that both sticks to a light, fruity core and works with wine and sherry casks to push character in multiple directions.

Whisky style and tasting profile

Glencadam consistently points toward pear, apple and other orchard fruit, as in Origin 1825, 13, 15 and 18 Years Old. In addition, honey, marzipan and vanilla give several of the whiskies a soft and sweet core. In the more mature and finish-driven expressions, apricot, peach, red fruit, chocolate, toffee and spice come through, especially in the 25-year edition, Reserva de Madeira, Reserva de Porto Branco and the sherry-influenced releases. The overall impression is a style that combines fruity lightness with creamy sweetness and moderate spice.

Visit the distillery

Glencadam can be visited in Brechin, Angus. There are daily tours, and the shop, café and bar are open every day from 9:00 to 17:00. The first tour starts at 10:00 and the last at 15:30, and booking is recommended before arrival, although walk-ins are welcome. The visitor centre offers guided tours, tutored tastings and an interactive exhibition, and there is also a whisky lounge, café, retail shop and function suite. The areas in the visitor centre, warehouse and exhibition rooms are fully accessible, while only parts of the production area are accessible to wheelchair users. There is private parking with disabled parking and charging points for electric cars.

The stated opening hours are: Shop, café and bar are open daily 9:00–17:00. Tours are available daily, first tour at 10:00 and last at 15:30. Tours also run Thursday to Monday from the opening of the new visitor centre.
See times and book a visit.

Philosophy and craftsmanship

Glencadam places emphasis on tradition, continuity and visible craftsmanship. The whisky is still made in the same way as in 1825, and in the core range the natural colour is preserved without chill filtration and at 46% vol. At the same time, historical elements such as the waterwheel and Charles Doig’s ventilators have been reintroduced or continued, so the distillery’s physical legacy also becomes part of the experience. It is a distillery where history is not only told, but actively used in both production and the visitor experience.

Awards and recognition

• Double Gold (2026, Won)

• Gold (2026, Won)

• Gold (2026, Won)

• Gold Medal (2025, Won, Glencadam 13 Year Old)

• Double Gold (2025, Won, Glencadam 15 Year Old)

Latest news

Glencadam opens new multi-million-pound visitor centre – 2025-11-10

Glencadam opened its new visitor centre in Brechin. From 15 November, guests can experience guided tours, tutored tastings, an interactive exhibition, whisky lounge, café, shop and function suite. The project was launched in the bicentenary year and is linked to new jobs and a reinterpreted building with a reclaimed stone façade, waterwheel and Doig-inspired ventilators.

Glencadam launches new premium packaging with Calvados cask finish – 2026-01-21

The distillery launched new premium packaging and at the same time highlighted its Calvados cask finish in connection with the next phase of the brand’s development after the bicentenary year.

Glencadam wins Double Gold and Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026 – 2026-06-29

Glencadam was honoured with both Double Gold and Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026.