There are moments when a bottle catches your eye not because of pedigree alone, but because of sheer audacity in concept. The Glencadam Riserva De Amarone is one such whisky — a Highland single malt finished in casks that previously held Amarone della Valpolicella, that rich, partially dried-grape Italian red wine. It is a pairing that sounds almost too adventurous on paper, yet in practice it speaks to a growing confidence among Scottish distillers willing to let European wine culture leave its fingerprint on their spirit.
Bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration — the standard we should expect at this price point — this is a non-age-statement release that leans heavily on cask influence rather than maturation length. That is not a criticism. NAS whiskies live or die by the quality of their wood management, and the decision to use Amarone casks suggests a deliberate pursuit of character over convention. Amarone is no ordinary wine; it is concentrated, deeply fruited, with a bittersweet backbone that distinguishes it from your typical sherry or port finish. The cask interaction here should deliver something altogether different from the red-fruit sweetness we associate with most wine-finished malts.
What to Expect
Glencadam as a distillery has historically produced a lighter, more delicate Highland style — a spirit with a clean, almost waxy character that takes well to cask finishing without being overwhelmed. That lighter distillate is precisely why an Amarone cask finish makes sense here. A heavier, more robust malt might fight the wine influence; Glencadam's subtlety should allow the dried cherry, raisin, and gentle tannic structure of the Amarone wood to come through with clarity. At 46%, there is enough strength to carry those flavours without the burn becoming a distraction.
The "Riserva" designation is a thoughtful nod to the Italian wine tradition that underpins this release. It signals that this is not a quick finishing exercise but something given time to develop in those casks. For anyone tired of the identikit sherry bombs that crowd the shelves, this represents a genuine point of difference — a whisky that asks you to reconsider what a Highland malt can become when you look beyond the usual Iberian cooperage.
The Verdict
At £43.75, this sits in a competitive bracket where it must justify itself against well-established age-statement bottlings. I believe it does. The Amarone cask finishing is not a gimmick here — it is a considered choice that plays to the distillery's lighter spirit character, and the 46% non-chill-filtered presentation shows respect for the drinker. This is a whisky with genuine personality, and one that rewards curiosity. I have given it a 7.7 out of 10 — a solid, confident dram that earns its place on the shelf and offers something you will not find in every other bottle at this price. It falls just short of exceptional, but it is comfortably above average and worth seeking out if you value originality in your glass.
Best Served
Pour it neat at room temperature and give it a good five minutes to open. A few drops of water will coax out the wine-cask influence and soften the mid-palate. This is not a whisky for cocktails — the Amarone character is too specific and too interesting to bury under mixers. If you must mix, a simple Highball with quality soda water lets the dried-fruit notes breathe, but honestly, this one deserves your full attention undiluted.
