Cadenhead’s London 

1995 – 2020

Classics from the past to some classics of the present 

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the Cadenhead’s London shop opened its doors for the first time, a lot of things have changed or happened since then, we are making history everyday with everything we do or witness, so let’s make some today as we move forward with a little look back!

We will delay the full anniversary celebrations for obvious reasons. What we can say for now about the anniversary; is we have something planned and we are just waiting to see when and how we can get this out in the near future.

It’s getting warmer so some of us will be looking for a lighter smoother dram, we will add a few that we think might work at the end of this anniversary month newsletter. At least these whiskies will let you travel to delicious and fruity locations!

A quick history of the London shop

The original London shop was located at No3 Russell Street in Covent Garden, it was a small shop with just one compact sales floor and a tiny desk (we still use) with a blackboard on one wall and a few shelves.

One feature that made the shop so unique was uncle Brian, he was the front of house shall we say, his smile and old school charm was liked by all including so many from the world of entertainment.

Customers would be treated to a very entertaining yet informative talk about all things whisky or rum with a dash of gin for good measure.

The Covent garden shop closed in 2007 after it was decided the site was becoming too small and costly to run, especially given we could not offer a full tasting room experience on-site, because of all odd things; the stairs into the basement faced the shop door!!

The new shop was a departure from the normal shop layout, thanks to the front area and back areas separate. This allowed us to have the whiskies in the front with the rums in the back. Cadenhead’s ranges are the first thing you will see nowadays but now with more shelves, we can integrate the rums into the front room as well.

The layout has changed a little more, as we add a new range or two, or we get a little spring cleaning moment. Keep a lookout when you do come in for the latest additions to the ranges.

So over the last 25 years, a number of drams have become memorable favorites, with all who worked in the shop!

Let’s have a look at some staff picks! Some of these you might not see ever again, or if you do, it’s at auction or on the shelves of collectibles people post shots of online for us all the drool over.

Let’s start off with a dram or two we know Uncle Brian Mc Bride loved so much! Springbank 1965/66 Local barley; dram of legends indeed. If you have never had a local barley then it’s hard to convey just how good they are, but the 65 & 66 were able to forge epics on their own.

Now we have the shop’s proprietors chosen drams, again from the archives and legends of today’s whisky world.

Springbank 21yo is one of the world’s most admired and respected single malts. Back in the 1990’s, it was quite normal to bulk out a release with some older stocks, this happened with the final few releases of the  21 year old at the end of the same decade. Some 30 + year old was added to the mix with the youngest being 21, to say it was the king of whiskies would be an understatement.

His second choice would be the lost distillery Dallas Dhu, with a stunning 24 years old in the Authentic collection. Again, the 1990s – early 2000s would be a time of legendary drams. This Dallas Dhu had it all, rich fruity tones with a clean fresh nose of honey and ginger. The palate was sublime with a lingering rich full-bodied experience with distinct creamy spearmint aftertaste.

One more to add is the Irish Whiskey called Red Breast. It was during a drinking or… shall we say sampling session he had with Mr. Hedley Wright while sampling at Milroy’s with Mr. Milroy himself one eventful night.

Now we have Richard’s selection starting off with the first single grain mentioned so far!

Cambus 30 years old is simply elegant,  sadly another lost distillery, his second and equally rare is the Tobermoray 19 sherry cask from a few years ago, tangy rich coastal tones with heaps of rich Sherry notes.

And finally, for Richard, we have the legendary Mortlach distillery, but this was the 14-year-old Rum cask matured, adding a smooth spice dram to his selection.

So how about Joel’s choices?

The young man is only slightly older than the shop, but his time in the shop has already given him an extensive gallery of memories regarding whiskies!

Joel’s earliest memory of Cadenhead’s authentic collection leads back to late 2017 when Ben Nevis 21 years old was released. This whisky sparked Joel’s love towards rich fruity whiskies, with hints of tropic and pistachio nuts.

Joel also enjoys contrasts as was seen with Ledaig 20 years old. This Mull beast was a perfect combination of thick oil, maritime flavors, and meaty barbecue. Truly a dram to remember, considering the several nicknames we gave it. Joel can reveal these names the next time we meet!

Lastly, Joel recalls one of the best whiskies he has ever had. The mighty Tullamore 38 years old, which was part of the 150th Anniversary Authentic Collection. This amazing Irish whiskey, with incredible 68.9%, was a journey in the mouth. Its complexity provoked the very tongue to spin like a disco ball as it burst with once in a lifetime flavors.

Stephens selection is based on some old school simplicity, starting with a fairly new one from Campbeltown; Kilkerran 12! A great all-round dram with a little smoke and coastal tones.

The next one is a legendary dram from a closed distillery! Stephen was lucky enough to be gifted with a mini bottle from Millburn. This 13 years lasted several weeks because it was something so special.

Finally Port Dundas 31! This whisky is a recent addition, but one that has never failed to deliver a rich all-round palate. It is a favorite of many others’ and people still keep asking for more bottles of this amazing grain!

With little chance of getting some of the vintages above we have decided to get some alternatives, will these single malts and grains become as highly regarded as those from the past? A collectible or must-have dram is a very personal choice for each of us, so we have had a look at some that are still available today as contenders.

1. Springbank 10 
2. North British 32 55.2% Sherry Butt 
3. Fettercairn 12 51.1%  
4. Royal Brackla 10 56.3% 
5. William Cadenhead’s Irish 11yo 46%
6. Longrow Classic 46% 
7. Tullibardine 12yo 55.2%
8. Ord 11yo 56.2%
9. Kilkerran 12yo
10. Port Dundas 31yo

We hope to get back soon with a new release once things return to normal with the bottling hall.

All the best

Cadenhead’s team London