Caperdonich 12 Years Old 1980 (Connoisseurs Choice)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Caperdonich, a 12 year old, distilled in 1980, bottled at 40%. Caperdonich is a closed Speyside distillery, its stock now finite and dwindling. Its character was close to Glen Grant but its own, less green apple, more cream, pear and mint.

It was distilled from unpeated malt in tall Glen Grant style stills, for a soft, fruity, oily make. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper pear. A slow maturation suits the delicate, creamy make, the fruit turning tropical with time. The light, creamy spirit takes cask flavour readily while keeping its pear and mint. The light Speyside make gains most of its depth from decades in good oak. The tall, Glen Grant style stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At 40% it is supple and waxy. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla fill the middle. The finish runs waxy, fruity and soft. This is a rare Speyside single malt from a demolished distillery.