Caperdonich 38 Years Old 1970 Cask #4378 (Adelphi)

The bottler Adelphi bottled this Caperdonich, a 38 year old, distilled in 1970, from cask 4378, bottled at 47.1%, one of 32 bottles. Caperdonich was the quiet sister of Glen Grant, a Rothes distillery now demolished. Seagram bought it in 1977, and Pernod Ricard closed it in 2002.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in tall Glen Grant style stills, giving the soft pear and mint of the house style. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the fruit. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). Maturation in the cool north east kept the spirit fresh across long years. The light Speyside make gains most of its depth from decades in good oak. The light, creamy spirit takes cask flavour readily while keeping its pear and mint. Years in oak round the spirit, the pear and cream deepening with age. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 2002.

At 47.1%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A waxy, pear scented fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft pear and a waxy cream sit behind the cask. The finish runs waxy, fruity and soft. This is Caperdonich, the lost twin of Glen Grant.