Glencadam Distillery opened its doors to visitors with a brand new visitor centre and scotch whisky tour experience at the end of 2025 and has been a welcome addition to the whisky tourism route on the east coast. The whisky is known for it’s fruity character often described as having notes of pineapple and has for a long time been somewhat of a hidden gem for scotch whisky enthusiasts. Situated in Brechin, Glencadam can be found in between the graveyard and the park – and they also have a fantastic café well worth a visit on its own. Let me tell you why I think it’s well worth a visit on your next trip to Scotland!
Glencadam Distillery: tours, tastings and café
I have been a fan of Glencadam since early on in my whisky journey. I got to try the Glencadam 15 Year Old after a particularly long day when I worked at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh and it quickly became a favourite. Since then my connection to the distillery has become even closer since my husband now is the Global Brand Ambassador for Glencadam as well as its sister distillery Tomintoul up in Speyside.
The whisky is fruit-forward and although I tend to drink it neat, it’s also wonderful in a pina colada! You might’ve heard that some people are against the thought of using scotch whisky in a cocktail, but I think you should drink it anyway you enjoy it. Be it in a cocktail, neat, over ice or perhaps with milk? You might think that last one is a joke, but I have genuinely met several older people here in Scotland who drinks their whisky with milk.
My Glencadam whisky recommendations:
- Glencadam 15 Year Old: was my first whisky-love from Glencadam and is still a favourite to this day. It has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and has notes of tropical fruits and vanilla.
- Glencadam PX Reserva: is a delicious whisky finished in ex-pedro ximinez sherry casks and has a sweet and fruity character which I just adore
Where to stay near Glencadam Distillery
Glencadam is located on the east coast, near to cities like St Andrews, Dundee and Aberdeen which makes it a great destination to stop by on a road trip, or fairly easy to reach if you’re staying nearby in any of these locations.
- Glen Esk Hotel – from £225 per night
- Malmaison Dundee – from £70 per night
- Carnoustie Golf Hotel – from £94 per night
- Glencadam is only a 1 hour drive from St Andrews so you can also stay in the historic golf city and do a day trip here. I have written a full guide to my favourite hotels in St Andrews which can be found here.
The café at Glencadam Distillery
The café at Glencadam has been a much appreciated spot for locals and visitor alike. Don’t be surprised if the café is busy during your visit. I would also recommend double checking the opening times before your visit as there might be reduced hours and not open all days of the week during the low season. It is a great spot to stop for a coffee or lunch, even if you are not doing a tour. My recommendation would be the nachos or croque madame which are both delicious! The café does decent portion sizes as well so make sure you are hungry. When the weather allows I highly recommend taking the opportunity to sit outside on the roof terrace.
The café is dog-friendly and can provide water bowls for four-legged friends. There is a two bark policy to avoid disturbing other guests and the team appreciates dogs being kept off the furniture.
Glencadam Whisky Bar
If you wish to try whisky, this is of course also possible in the café. Or you can also visit the bar downstairs. They have a wide selection so don’t hesitate to ask the team for a recommendation if you’re not sure what to go for.
Distillery tours & tastings
Glencadam offers two different tours for visitors. One for those curious to learn more about the history and production of the distillery as well as a more in-depth experience with an enhanced tasting. During both tours you get to sample whisky, but the expressions included in the line up differ between the two experiences.
The Glencadam Distillery Tour
This is the distillery tour for visitors curious about the production and history of the whisky that has been made here for the last 200 years. As well as an introduction, visitors also get to tour the production areas, including seeing a historic dunnage warehouse, before enjoying a tasting at the end as well.
Guests will tour the production site and visit a historic dunnage warehouse, then experience a guided tasting of three award-winning Glencadam Single Malts.
Additional details
- Price: £22.50 per person
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Whiskies included: 3 Glencadam single malt scotch whiskies are included in this tour
The Glencadam Single Malt Experience
For those wanting to journey a little deeper into the production process at Glencadam, this is the tour for you. See more behind the scenes and visit the blend centre and filling store. At the end you enjoy an enhanced tasting of Glencadam whiskies, including some older expressions.
Additional details
- Price: £75 per person
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Whiskies included: 5 Glencadam single malt scotch whiskies are included in this tour
The Glencadam Water Wheel
Glencadam Distillery is one of the only distilleries in Scotland to have an indoors water wheel. This historic water wheel has been restored and will shortly be up and running for visitors to see. During the distillery tour you can even walk directly on top of it as the wheel sits right underneath a see through floor. I always feel so strange walking across the glass and almost get a feeling of vertigo. I can only image what it will be like once the water wheel is running and can’t wait to be back to see it.
On the move to Glencadam Distillery
Glencadam has long been one of my favourite distilleries, so finally seeing it open its doors to visitors feels incredibly exciting. The new visitor centre, welcoming café and thoughtfully designed tours make it much more than just a place to taste whisky – it’s somewhere you can easily spend a relaxed afternoon, whether you’re a whisky enthusiast or simply exploring this part of Scotland.
I especially love that Glencadam still feels like something of a hidden gem. Compared to some of Scotland’s more famous distilleries, your visit feels more personal, while still offering an excellent tour and some truly outstanding whiskies. If you’re travelling along Scotland’s east coast, it’s an easy detour that I think is well worth making.
I would particularly recommend this experience to whisky lovers looking to discover a lesser-known distillery, anyone interested in traditional Scotch whisky production, couples and friends exploring Scotland’s east coast by car and visitors looking for a great café stop even if they aren’t taking a tour. The standard tour is perfect for first-time visitors, while the Single Malt Experience is a fantastic choice for those wanting a deeper dive into Glencadam’s whisky and production.
Thank you Glencadam for having me (and to my husband for driving)!
FAQ – Glencadam Distillery
Glencadam is owned by Angus Dundee Distillers, who also own Tomintoul in Speyside and Chun’an in China.
Yes Glencadam offers tours at their new visitor centre which opened in 2025.
There is a very good café at Glencadam which offers everything from cakes to lunches of sandwiches, nachos or soup.
Yes, the café at the distillery is dog-friendly and also has water bowls available for four-legged companions.
Need more whisky inspiration for your trip to Scotland?
- The Best Whisky Distilleries in Scotland: From Historic Icons to Hidden Gems
- Where to go for a whisky tasting in Edinburgh: Scotch whisky tours & distilleries
- A whisky writers guide to Speyside in Scotland
- Isle of Islay in Scotland: A guide to visiting the whisky island
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery: one of the best whisky tours in Scotland
- The Glenturret Distillery: Whisky Tours & Two Michelin Star Lalique Restaurant
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
