Caperdonich 20 Years Old 1992 Closed Distilleries (Part des Anges)

From the bottler Part des Anges, a 20 year old Caperdonich, distilled in 1992, bottled at 56.5%, one of 246 bottles. Caperdonich, a lost Speyside distillery in Rothes, fell silent in 2002. Its spirit went largely into blends such as Chivas Regal and Royal Salute.

Worked through the distillery's four tall stills, to build a clean, waxy, fruity character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the spirit lead. At oxidative maturity ellagitannin tannins lend a polished frame to the oily, fruit rich malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the pear and cream deepening with age. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. Refill oak lets the soft, fruity Caperdonich character lead the way. After closure the site was sold to the coppersmith Forsyths, who demolished it in 2011. Water came from the Caperdonich Burn, the so called secret well above Rothes. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At a hearty 56.5% it carries real weight. A creamy, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is waxy, the fruit carried on a creamy body. The close is long, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a single malt from a silent Speyside distillery.