Caperdonich 21 Years Old Cask #Batch CA/001

An official release of Caperdonich, a 21 year old, cask Batch CA/001, at 48%. Caperdonich was the quiet sister of Glen Grant, a Rothes distillery now demolished. It is named, like the burn, from the Gaelic for the secret well.

This was run through the distillery's tall copper stills, for a soft, fruity, oily make. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the fruit. At oxidative maturity ellagitannin tannins lend a polished frame to the oily, fruit rich malt. The tall, Glen Grant style stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. Refill oak lets the soft, fruity Caperdonich character lead the way. Chivas released a Secret Speyside range of official Caperdonich in 2019, aged eighteen to thirty years. Its four stills were dispersed, a pair going as far as Belgium and others to Falkirk. A few warehouses still stand, but the stillhouse and kiln are long gone. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At its natural 48% it is concentrated. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft pear and a waxy cream sit behind the cask. The finish runs waxy, fruity and soft. This is a waxy, pear scented Speyside single malt.