Caperdonich 22 Years Old 1992 (Liquid Treasures)

A Caperdonich of a 22 year old chosen by the bottler Liquid Treasures, distilled in 1992, bottled at 47.7%, one of 152 bottles. Caperdonich made a light, fruity Speyside malt at Rothes until its closure in 2002. Seagram bought it in 1977, and Pernod Ricard closed it in 2002.

The spirit was worked through the distillery's four tall stills, for a delicate Speyside spirit with a creamy lift. Decades in ex-Bourbon oak drew out vanilla and a waxy depth. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. Long ageing turns the fresh pear towards mango, beeswax and a polished oak. The light, creamy spirit takes cask flavour readily while keeping its pear and mint. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At a full 47.7% it is bold yet fruity. Cream, orchard fruit and a gentle spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is creamy and fruity, the soft spirit shining through. A long, creamy finish ends on pear and vanilla. This is a single malt from a silent Speyside distillery.