Caperdonich 14 Years Old 1998 Cask #3987 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

A Caperdonich of a 14 year old chosen by the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, distilled in 1998, from cask 3987, bottled at 46%, one of 360 bottles. Caperdonich distilled a creamy, fruity Speyside malt at Rothes before closing in 2002. 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 run through the distillery's tall copper stills, for a soft, fruity, oily make. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light vanilla. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, pear deepening to a soft tropical fruit. Refill oak lets the soft, fruity Caperdonich character lead the way. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. The cool Speyside air gave a slow, even maturation in the Rothes warehouses. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and balanced. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is creamy and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. The finish is long, fruity and waxy. This is Caperdonich's creamy, fruity Speyside style.