Review

Cadenhead Classic Gin

Wm Cadenhead Ltd. (J & A Mitchell & Co Ltd.), William Cadenhead Distillery, Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, UK.

William Cadenhead.

The company was founded in Aberdeen (its administrative office is still there) by George Duncan in 1842 and started out as importers, bottlers and wholesalers. Poet and Brother-in-law William Cadenhead joined the business in 1852 and he acquired the company (renaming it after himself), when George Duncan died in 1858. William Cadenhead died in 1904 and was succeeded by his nephew Robert Duthie, who developed the business into producers of Whisky and Rum. Robert Duthie was a bachelor and when he died in 1931 the business was passed to his two sisters. They entrusted the business to a long-term employee, Ann Oliver, who unfortunately was a poor overall manager and the business slowly declined.

In 1972 the business faced liquidation and sold off most of it’s stock, the biggest wine and spirits sale ever held in Great Britain, to cover its liabilities. The premises, equipments, brands etc were sold to J & A Mitchell & Co Ltd., owners of one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, Springbank Distillery. Mitchell’s had the company incorporated and kept the William Cadenhead name.

This Gin is presented in a tall clear rectangular bottle with a large white label with scalloped edges. At the top in clear black writing is “Cadenhead’s Classic Gin” and in the middle is a colored picture of a cluster of juniper berries. There is also another bottled version still available: cylindrical squat clear bottle with a bulbous neck with a large square label with mostly light blue coloring to the label.

Distilled Dry Gin.

50% (100 Proof).

$$$$. Very limited availability in the USA, try online at Merwin Liquors which has limited delivery in the USA; alternatively try The Whisky Exchange in the UK but expect to pay at least 100% more for shipping costs. 

Unknown.

Named after one of the producers’ early owners, William Cadenhead, and its “Classic” Gin taste.

On the nose is light fruity juniper and citrus (lemon) aroma with a faint hint of spice. On the palate this soft full-bodied spirit has clear juniper and fruity citrus (lemon) with peppery spice notes and a hint of alcohol burn. On the close is a long dry juniper and refreshing bitter lemon finish. Nicely balanced, it does as it says: a classic Gin.

Whilst the aroma is light this delivers a traditional Gin taste in a mild tasting package despite its high ABV. With its dry bitterness and lightly bittersweet lemon citrus flavor it is ideal for a bright Gin and Tonic, and a good standard soft profile Martini with a kick. This is just like a classic London Dry style Gin and as such has strong versatility in Gin based mixed drinks.

This is a well delivered classic style Gin, making it a useful addition to most bars. Recommended, especially for Gin lovers seeking a soft but strong drink, for more of an every day Gin.

Unknown.