Caperdonich 18 Years Old 1995 Cask #95054 / 95057 (Ian Macleod)

The independent Ian Macleod bottled this Caperdonich, an 18 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 95054 / 95057, bottled at 48%, one of 1016 bottles. Caperdonich was built in 1898 as Glen Grant No.2, the sister distillery across the road from Glen Grant. It was rarely bottled as a single malt in its lifetime, so most come from independents.

The spirit was made in tall copper stills for a light, fruity spirit, to build a clean, waxy, fruity character. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out waxy tropical fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. The cool Speyside air gave a slow, even maturation in the Rothes warehouses. Its four stills were dispersed, a pair going as far as Belgium and others to Falkirk. It closed in 1902 after the Pattison crash, lying silent for over sixty years. With Caperdonich demolished, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At its natural 48% it is concentrated. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The texture is oily and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The close is long, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a single malt from a silent Speyside distillery.