Caperdonich 17 Years Old 1968 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Caperdonich drawn by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1968, bottled at 40%. Caperdonich made a light, fruity Speyside malt at Rothes until its closure in 2002. Water came from the Caperdonich Burn, the so called secret well above Rothes.

It was worked through the distillery's four tall stills, to build a clean, waxy, fruity character. Decades in ex-Bourbon oak drew out vanilla and a waxy depth. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, pear turning to mango over a waxy, creamy body. Slow oxidation over decades draws the creamy spirit towards a waxy, fruity richness. The light, creamy spirit takes cask flavour readily while keeping its pear and mint. It was built in 1898 by J and J Grant of Glen Grant, as Glen Grant No.2, to meet the whisky boom. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 2002.

At 40% it is smooth and fruity. Cream, orchard fruit and a gentle spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is waxy, the fruit carried on a creamy body. It finishes creamy, fruity and waxy. This is a waxy, pear scented Speyside single malt.