Cadenheads Cameronbridge 31yo Authentic Collection August 2024 & Cadenheads Highland Park 32yo Authentic Collection August 2024

Cadenheads Cameronbridge 31yo Authentic Collection August 2024

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 49.9%

Price: £120.00

This 31yo release was matured in a bourbon hogshead.

Nose

The nose opens with that classic, lovely old grain sweetness, lots of vanilla custard, caster sugar, and cream filled doughnuts with a fudge topping. Behind this sits a little bit of lemon peel and oak spice. It feels well balanced, the alcohol just sits right at the end of the nose. Going back, we're getting more of a richer toffee and chocolate aroma, alongside a touch of ginger and some rice paper.

Palate

The palate begins with a nice and creamy mouthfeel, fairly viscous, but has an initial chemical/industrial note right at the beginning of the palate. This is followed by custard cream biscuits, lemon sponge cake, more granulated caster sugar, and some freshly whipped cream. It's a very sweet, cakey dram, with some butterscotch candies appearing as we go back for another sip. The alcohol is a touch punchy for us, perhaps contributing to that unusual industrial alcohol note we're finding. The finish lasts for a fair while, mostly leaving a creamy vanilla flavour on the palate.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose feels a little fresher, lighter, more citrus coming through a little flamed orange peel. It still maintains the majority of the aromas we found previously, along with a slightly more floral aroma right in the background. Definitely more fruit now, we're not sure we prefer this over the classic vanilla notes from pre-dilution.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate doesn't change too much, we're still finding the same vanillas, shortbread biscuits, a little candied ginger, it's still sweet and in reasonable balance. The butterscotch note is now coming through more prominently on the finish. Unfortunately, that industrial note we're not loving is still present.

Conclusion

This is about as classic of an old grain whisky as you can get. Lots of creamy vanilla, light fudge and cakey notes to be found. There's a bit of an off note on the palate for us, but it doesn't detract too much from the whisky overall. We'd happily have a dram or two, and it would be great at the beginning of an evening of drams.

Score: 7/10

Value

This is a good price for a grain whisky aged over 30 years.

Cadenheads Highland Park 32yo Authentic Collection August 2024

Region: Highlands

ABV: 56.0%

Price: £500.00

This 32yo release has been maturing in a oloroso cask since 2020.

Nose

The nose opens with a mixture of synthetic cherry and blackcurrant, alongside some walnuts, dark chocolate and a little balsamic vinegar too. Behind these aromas sits a fairly punchy peat smoke given the age, it's got a freshly turned earth/dry forest floor aroma to the smoke. Going back, we're finding more dark berries, coffee beans and ground nutmeg. The alcohol feels pretty well balanced too.

Palate

The palate opens with more acidity than expected, balsamic vinegar, lots of bruised fresh mint leaves.. oh very very minty. There's also some freshly squeezed lime too. The palate develops into richer oak spice, more of the nutmeg and a bit of cassia bark, along with some cocoa powder. The mouthfeel is nice, it's got a caramel syrup-like texture. Going back, it's still very herbal, along with some maldon sea salt, charred pizza crust, black cherry and brambles. The smoke is definitely there, but adds more of an earthiness and char to the dram as opposed to outright smoke.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose gives us a lot more older whisky and older sherry aromas, antique furniture, worn leather, old bodega casks, cigar smoke, it's a bit more balanced now and we're finding it to be really quite enticing. There's still the typical dried fruits and wood spice too.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate still maintains that herbal aroma up front, fresh mint, vine leaves, pink peppercorns, moving into blackcurrant cordial, bramble syrup, and a bit of charred oak staves. The alcohol is also a bit more mellow, although still jumps out on the finish.

Conclusion

We thought this might be a little oversherried given the long additional maturation period and age of the whisky... We'd say it's very sherry forward, but the earthy Highland Park smoke has managed to stop the sherry from becoming overwhelming. It's an interesting dram, lots of flavours and aromas jumping out at us. We can't say we'd guess 32 years old, however a drop of water seems to bring the age out a bit more.

Score: 7/10

Value

£500 is indeed a significant amount, but it's relatively more affordable compared to what many independent bottlers (IBs) might charge for a similar offering.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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