Caperdonich 20 Years Old 1977 (Authentic Collection)

Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's bottled this Caperdonich, a 20 year old, distilled in 1977, bottled at 57%. Caperdonich is a closed Speyside distillery, its stock now finite and dwindling. It was rarely bottled as a single malt in its lifetime, so most come from independents.

Worked through the distillery's four tall stills, for a delicate Speyside spirit with a creamy lift. First fill bourbon gave it a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of tropical fruit building over the pear. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh pear towards mango, beeswax and a polished oak. It is named, like the burn, from the Gaelic for the secret well. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. With Caperdonich demolished, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At a full 57% it is bold yet fruity. 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 deep, waxy and tropical. This is a single malt from a silent Speyside distillery.