Caperdonich 20 Years Old 1992 Cask #46242 (Signatory)

A Caperdonich drawn by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 1992, from cask 46242, bottled at 56.8%, one of 248 bottles. Caperdonich is a closed Speyside distillery, its stock now finite and dwindling. Its character was close to Glen Grant but its own, less green apple, more cream, pear and mint.

Distilled from unpeated malt in tall Glen Grant style stills, for a soft, fruity, oily make. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pear and pineapple) and a waxiness. A slow maturation suits the delicate, creamy make, the fruit turning tropical with time. It closed in 1902 after the Pattison crash, lying silent for over sixty years. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 2002.

At 56.8%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Pear, vanilla and a green mint lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is oily and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish is deep, waxy and tropical. This is Caperdonich's creamy, fruity Speyside style.