Glencadam Small Batch Bordeaux Reserve Whisky Review: A Fruity Candy Shop

Monday, 18 August 2025 at 18:02

Glencadam Reserve de Bordeaux whisky review

By the end of 2024, the Glencadam distillery in the Scottish Highlands topped up its cask finish collection with a small batch whisky from Merlot casks. In this review, discover how strawberries, rhubarb and chocolate cherry liqueur come together in a delectable blend.

Even though Glencadam is one of the older distilleries in the Scottish highlands, innovative whiskies regularly emerge from its casks. For a few years, there has been experimentation with the effect of wine casks in the small batch whisky series.

For the special whisky series, master blender Robert Fleming decided to finish whisky in various casks. One of these, the Small Batch Reserva PX Sherry Cask Finish whisky, we've already reviewed. Now comes the turn of the Small Batch Reservé de Bordeaux.

Sweet French wine and fruity Highland whisky

For this edition, Fleming matured the Highland spirit of Glencadam first in ex-bourbon casks, for a fruity note. The whisky was then transferred to French Merlot casks from the Bordeaux region for a finish.

This left the whisky with a golden tint, and according to the description on the bottle, it resulted in a 'more complex character with refined attributes'.

See, Smell, Taste

Country	Scotland
Distillery	Glencadam
Type of Whisky	Single malt
Color	Gold yellow
Nose	Sweet fragrances of wild strawberries and fruity candy mingle with cedar wood, blackberry jam and ginger biscuit.
Palate	Layers of stewed fruit and rhubarb accompany cocoa, roasted chestnuts and oak spices.
Finish	Dark chocolate, cherry liqueur, espresso, and a gentle hint of pie spices.
Age	No age statement
Alcohol content	46 percent
Bottle content	70 centiliters
Price	Around 45 euros

Glencadam Reserve de Bordeaux Scotch whisky bottle with sleeve

Every Bottle Carries its Own Hue

Whereas the label of the Glencadam PX Sherry cask finish whisky boasts a striking purple color, the Reservé de Bordeaux whisky sports a vibrant red label that helps it to really stand out on the shelves.

Overall, the Scottish whisky maker has chosen a bottle with the same model as the other brand bottles. It's a bottle without too much fanfare that virtually says 'just be normal, that's crazy enough.'

The spotlight is thus entirely dedicated to the whisky. But what does it taste like?

Sweet strawberry jam on the nose

This Highland whisky offers a sweet temptation in the glass that might best remind one of a candy shop. The small batch whisky opens with gentle touches of strawberry jam, sweet vanilla pods, and the scent of wine gummies beneath a slight malty layer.

It's not a very overwhelming scent but rather a subtle and friendly introduction to what's going to happen in the mouth.

Glencadam Reserve de Bordeaux whisky with whisky sleeve

An Accessible Ensemble

In the mouth, the initial impressions are of sweet red fruits. The flavors of ripe cherries and preserved pie fruit lead under a creamy layer. These tastes are swiftly followed by a nutty note and the sweet flavor of Kinder Chocolate.

Towards the medium-length finish, there's an additional spicy layer with notes of ginger and cinnamon, before the whisky bids farewell to your throat and makes way for the next sip.

Conclusion Glencadam Small Batch Reservé de Bordeaux Whisky Review

The Bordeaux wine has provided the Glencadam whisky with a distinct sweet twist that's going to please lovers of fruity whiskies. The whisky's notes are neatly balanced. Beginners to whisky will find this dram to be an excellent one to practice with, since it presents an accessible and clear palette of flavors.

+ Accessible whisky
+ Attractively priced
+ A dram for the sweet tooth
- Not a complex dram