Caperdonich 12 Years Old 1968 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 12 year old Caperdonich, distilled in 1968, bottled at 40%. Caperdonich made a light, fruity Speyside malt at Rothes until its closure in 2002. Its four stills were dispersed, a pair going as far as Belgium and others to Falkirk.

Run through the distillery's tall copper stills, for a soft, fruity, oily make. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the spirit lead. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the creamy, fruity spirit growing rounder. With the distillery gone, the casks that remain are a finite record of its make. Years in oak round the spirit, the pear and cream deepening with age. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. It closed in 1902 after the Pattison crash, lying silent for over sixty years. Active wood frames the fruit without smothering the soft, creamy spirit. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

Bottled at 40%, it is rounded. Cream, orchard fruit and a gentle spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A tropical fruit and a gentle oak give it depth. The finish runs waxy, fruity and soft. This is a creamy, tropical Speyside single malt of real age.