Caperdonich 25 Years Old Cask #Batch CA/001

Caperdonich from the distillery's own stock, a 25 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.

Made in tall copper stills for a light, fruity spirit, for a delicate Speyside spirit with a creamy lift. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. Caperdonich leaned to cream, pear and mint where Glen Grant showed green apple. The tall, Glen Grant style stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Chivas released a Secret Speyside range of official Caperdonich in 2019, aged eighteen to thirty years. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At a natural 48% it is full and oily. Tropical fruit, wax and a creamy oat, 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 finite single malt from the lost Caperdonich distillery.