Caperdonich 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #95078 (BB&R)

The London merchant Berry Bros and Rudd selected this Caperdonich, a 20 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 95078, bottled at 46%. Caperdonich stood opposite Glen Grant in Rothes, built to share in its sister's success. It closed in 1902 after the Pattison crash, lying silent for over sixty years.

Made in tall copper stills for a light, fruity spirit, for a delicate Speyside spirit with a creamy lift. Decades in ex-Bourbon oak drew out vanilla and a waxy depth. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of tropical fruit building over the pear. The tall, Glen Grant style stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. A slow maturation suits the delicate, creamy make, the fruit turning tropical with time. Seagram bought it in 1977, and Pernod Ricard closed it in 2002. It is named, like the burn, from the Gaelic for the secret well. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At 46% it is clean and fruity. A waxy, pear scented fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is oily and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish runs waxy, fruity and soft. This is a single malt from a silent Speyside distillery.