Caperdonich 22 Years Old Single Cask Series (MoM)

The retailer Master of Malt selected this Caperdonich, a 22 year old, distilled in 1995, bottled at 59.2%. Caperdonich was the quiet sister of Glen Grant, a Rothes distillery now demolished. A pipeline known as the whisky pipe once carried its spirit across the road to Glen Grant.

The spirit was drawn off the tall stills on Caperdonich Burn water, building the fruity Caperdonich style. A bourbon barrel held it, lending vanilla and a little cream. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. The oily, waxy texture is a mark of well aged Caperdonich. Chivas released a Secret Speyside range of official Caperdonich in 2019, aged eighteen to thirty years. It is named, like the burn, from the Gaelic for the secret well. The cool Speyside air gave a slow, even maturation in the Rothes warehouses. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 2002.

At 59.2%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Pear, vanilla and a green mint lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla fill the middle. It finishes creamy, fruity and waxy. This is the soft, fruity ghost of Glen Grant's sister.