Caperdonich 20 Years Old 1994 Cask #88852 (A.D. Rattray)

From A.D. Rattray, a 20 year old Caperdonich, distilled in 1994, from cask 88852, bottled at 60.3%, one of 215 bottles. Caperdonich made a light, fruity Speyside malt at Rothes until its closure in 2002. Its four stills were dispersed, a pair going as far as Belgium and others to Falkirk.

Drawn off the tall stills on Caperdonich Burn water, giving the soft pear and mint of the house style. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the fruit. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of tropical fruit building over the pear. Maturation in the cool north east kept the spirit fresh across long years. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. The light Speyside make gains most of its depth from decades in good oak. With the distillery gone, the casks that remain are a finite record of its make. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At a natural 60.3% it is full and oily. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is waxy, the fruit carried on a creamy body. The finish is long, fruity and waxy. This is a waxy, pear scented Speyside single malt.