Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1992 Cask #DL 18182 (XOP)

The Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing bottled this Caperdonich, a 30 year old, distilled in 1992, from cask DL 18182, bottled at 49.7%, one of 281 bottles. Caperdonich, a ghost of Speyside, was demolished in 2011 to make way for a coppersmith's works. It is named, like the burn, from the Gaelic for the secret well.

This was distilled in tall stills with their spherical condensation zone, for the light, creamy, fruity make Caperdonich is known for. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light vanilla. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the malt to a waxy, tropical delicacy of sotolon and old oak. The oily, waxy texture is a mark of well aged Caperdonich. Its spirit went largely into blends such as Chivas Regal and Royal Salute. A pipeline known as the whisky pipe once carried its spirit across the road to Glen Grant. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. Closed in 2002 and later demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

Bottled at a cask strength 49.7%, it is rich. Tropical fruit, wax and a creamy oat, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run pear, cream and a soft mint. The finish is deep, waxy and tropical. This is a waxy, pear scented Speyside single malt.