Caperdonich 1968 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Caperdonich was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1968, bottled at 40%. Caperdonich, a ghost of Speyside, was demolished in 2011 to make way for a coppersmith's works. Chivas released a Secret Speyside range of official Caperdonich in 2019, aged eighteen to thirty years.

It was run through the distillery's tall copper stills, for the light, creamy, fruity make Caperdonich is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. No age is given, but vanillin vanilla and a creamy pear are well integrated. Years in oak round the spirit, the pear and cream deepening with age. The oily, waxy texture is a mark of well aged Caperdonich. Active wood frames the fruit without smothering the soft, creamy spirit. After closure the site was sold to the coppersmith Forsyths, who demolished it in 2011. With Caperdonich demolished, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At 40% it is gentle, creamy and fruity. Tropical fruit, wax and a creamy oat, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is creamy and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. Pear, cream and a soft oak see out the finish. This is Caperdonich's creamy, fruity Speyside style.