Caperdonich 22 Years Old 1995 Cask #95060 (Ian Macleod)

A Caperdonich of a 22 year old chosen by the independent Ian Macleod, distilled in 1995, from cask 95060, bottled at 56.8%, one of 209 bottles. Caperdonich was the lesser known twin of Glen Grant, on Station Street in Rothes. After closure the site was sold to the coppersmith Forsyths, who demolished it in 2011.

Distilled in tall stills with their spherical condensation zone, for the light, creamy, fruity make Caperdonich is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Through the evaporative decades the oils concentrate, lactones and esters folding into mango and beeswax. A slow maturation suits the delicate, creamy make, the fruit turning tropical with time. It is named, like the burn, from the Gaelic for the secret well. Chivas released a Secret Speyside range of official Caperdonich in 2019, aged eighteen to thirty years. The distillery is gone, demolished in 2011, so what sleeps in cask is all there is.

Bottled at a cask strength 56.8%, it is rich. Cream, orchard fruit and a gentle spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A tropical fruit and a gentle oak give it depth. A long, creamy finish ends on pear and vanilla. This is a creamy, tropical Speyside single malt of real age.