Caperdonich 22 Years Old 2000 Cask #29493 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 22 year old Caperdonich, distilled in 2000, from cask 29493, bottled at 55%, one of 250 bottles. Caperdonich was a Speyside malt distillery, its spirit long destined for blends. It was extended to four stills in 1967, run by only a couple of workers.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in tall Glen Grant style stills, building the fruity Caperdonich style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). Active wood frames the fruit without smothering the soft, creamy spirit. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. Long ageing turns the fresh pear towards mango, beeswax and a polished oak. With Caperdonich demolished, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At a full 55% it is bold yet fruity. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla, 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 waxy, pear scented Speyside single malt.