Caperdonich 27 Years Old 1992 (SMWS 38.26)

From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 27 year old Caperdonich, distilled in 1992, from cask 38.26, bottled at 49.8%, one of 250 bottles. Caperdonich is a closed Speyside distillery, its stock now finite and dwindling. Its character was close to Glen Grant but its own, less green apple, more cream, pear and mint.

It was worked through the distillery's four tall stills, for the light, creamy, fruity make Caperdonich is known for. Decades in ex-Bourbon oak drew out vanilla and a waxy depth. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. Ethyl esters built over the years lend the pear and tropical fruit of old Caperdonich. Long ageing turns the fresh pear towards mango, beeswax and a polished oak. The tall, Glen Grant style stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. It was built in 1898 by J and J Grant of Glen Grant, as Glen Grant No.2, to meet the whisky boom. With Caperdonich demolished, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

Undiluted at 49.8%, it is layered. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla fill the middle. It finishes creamy, fruity and waxy. This is Caperdonich, the lost twin of Glen Grant.