Caperdonich 16 Years Old 1972 Cask #7130 – 7132 (Dun Eideann)

The bottler Dun Eideann bottled this Caperdonich, a 16 year old, distilled in 1972, from cask 7130-7132, bottled at 40%, one of 1800 bottles. Caperdonich was the lesser known twin of Glen Grant, on Station Street in Rothes. It was built in 1898 by J and J Grant of Glen Grant, as Glen Grant No.2, to meet the whisky boom.

It was made in tall copper stills for a light, fruity spirit, building the fruity Caperdonich style. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and creamy beneath the fruit. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of tropical fruit building over the pear. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the fruity, waxy core over the decades. Its spirit went largely into blends such as Chivas Regal and Royal Salute. The tall, Glen Grant style stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. After closure the site was sold to the coppersmith Forsyths, who demolished it in 2011. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 2002.

At an easy 40% it is light. Tropical fruit, wax and a creamy oat, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is creamy and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. It finishes creamy, fruity and waxy. This is a finite single malt from the lost Caperdonich distillery.