Caperdonich 21 Years Old 2000 Cask #29484 (Signatory)

This Caperdonich was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 21 year old, distilled in 2000, from cask 29484, bottled at 55.5%, one of 171 bottles. Caperdonich is a closed Speyside distillery, its stock now finite and dwindling. It was built in 1898 by J and J Grant of Glen Grant, as Glen Grant No.2, to meet the whisky boom.

The spirit was made in tall copper stills for a light, fruity spirit, for a delicate Speyside spirit with a creamy lift. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. At oxidative maturity ellagitannin tannins lend a polished frame to the oily, fruit rich malt. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. 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. The distillery is gone, demolished in 2011, so what sleeps in cask is all there is.

At a natural 55.5% it is full and oily. Pear, vanilla and a green mint lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is creamy and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. The finish runs waxy, fruity and soft. This is Caperdonich's creamy, fruity Speyside style.