Glencadam distillery information
Founded in 1825 by George Cooper, the Glencadam distillery is located near the Eastern coast of the Scottish Highlands, about a mile outside the royal Burgh of Brechin in Angus. The name Glencadam roughly translates into “Glen of the wild goose”. In 1827, the distillery was taken over by David Scott. He remained in charge for around 10 years, before the distillery closed in 1837. In 1852, Alexander Miln Thomson revived the distillery. 5 years later, Glencadam Distillery Co. was formed. For a short period, the distillery was run by Wallace & Scott, who most likely rented it from the company, as did James Ferguson & Sons from 1890 to 1891.
In 1891, Glencadam was acquired by Gilmour, Thomson & Co. Ltd., blenders from Glasgow. During both world wars, like many other distilleries, Glencadam was shut down. In 1954, it was purchased and renovated by Hiram Walker & Sons (who also purchased Scapa in the same year, and went on to buy Old Pulteney and Balblair the year after). Two years later, Hiram Walker was bought by Allied Lyons. The distillery was fitted with 2 new stills in 1959. In 2000 Allied decided to mothball the distillery because they were facing overproduction.
It remained closed until 2003, when Angus Dundee Distillers plc purchased and restarted the distillery. In 2007, they installed a large blending plant at Glencadam.
In 2025, marking the distillery’s 200th anniversary, Angus Dundee Distillers opened a new visitor centre at Glencadam. It offers two guided tour options, a shop where visitors can fill their own bottle from cask, a café, and a whisky lounge, open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Glencadam Whiskies
Most Glencadam was used in blending until in 2005, the first Single Malt was introduced. Currently the core range consists of:
- Glencadam 10 Years Old
- Glencadam 13 Years Old
- Glencadam 15 Years Old
- Glencadam 18 Years Old
- Glencadam 25 Years Old
- Glencadam American Oak Reserve
- Glencadam Origin 1825
Distillery info:
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Glencadam |
| Region | Highland |
| Country | Scotland |
| Logo |  |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1825 |
| Water source | Springs at The Moorans |
| Malting floor | No |
| Owned by | Angus Dundee Distillers plc |
| Address |
Glencadam Distillery |
| Visitor centre | Yes |
| Website | https://www.glencadamwhisky.com/ |
| https://www.twitter.com/GlencadamWhisky | |
| https://www.facebook.com/glencadamdistillery/ | |
| https://www.instagram.com/glencadamwhisky | |
| YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/glencadamwhisky |
| Map |
Distillery Setup:
Component |
Capacity |
Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Mash tun | 4.9 tonnes | 1 |
| Washback | 28,000 litres | 6 (Stainless steel) |
| Wash still | 14,000 litres | 1 |
| Spirit Still | 14,000 litres | 1 |
| Expected yearly output in LPA (Litres of pure alcohol) | 1,400,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Glencadam roughly translates to “Glen of the wild goose”. The distillery was founded in 1825 by George Cooper, about a mile outside the royal burgh of Brechin in Angus, on the eastern coast of the Scottish Highlands.
Yes. David Scott took over the distillery in 1827 and ran it for about a decade before it closed in 1837. Alexander Miln Thomson revived it in 1852, and the Glencadam Distillery Co. was formed five years later. For a short period the distillery was run by Wallace & Scott, likely renting it from the company, as did James Ferguson & Sons from 1890 to 1891.
Glencadam was acquired in 1891 by Gilmour, Thomson & Co Ltd, blenders from Glasgow, and like many distilleries was shut down during both World Wars. In 1954, it was purchased and renovated by Hiram Walker & Sons, who also bought Scapa that same year, followed by Old Pulteney and Balblair the year after.
Hiram Walker was bought by Allied Lyons in 1956, and two new stills were fitted at Glencadam in 1959. In 2000, Allied decided to mothball the distillery due to overproduction across their portfolio.
Glencadam remained closed until 2003, when Angus Dundee Distillers plc bought and restarted the distillery. In 2007, they installed a large blending plant on site.
Most Glencadam whisky was used for blending until 2005, when the distillery introduced its first single malt release.
The core range includes a 10 Year Old, a 13 Year Old, a 15 Year Old, an 18 Year Old, and a 25 Year Old, alongside the American Oak Reserve and Origin 1825 expressions.
Yes. Glencadam opened its distillery visitor centre in 2025, marking the distillery’s 200th anniversary. It offers two guided tour options, a shop, café, and whisky lounge, open daily.