Caperdonich 41 Years Old 1969 Cask #3250 (Duncan Taylor)

The Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor bottled this Caperdonich, a 41 year old, distilled in 1969, from cask 3250, bottled at 40.3%, one of 178 bottles. Caperdonich, once Glen Grant No.2, ran in Rothes until Pernod Ricard closed it in 2002. After closure the site was sold to the coppersmith Forsyths, who demolished it in 2011.

This was distilled from unpeated malt in tall Glen Grant style stills, building the fruity Caperdonich style. First fill bourbon gave it a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). 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.

At an easy 40.3% it is light. Mango, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is waxy, the fruit carried on a creamy body. A long, creamy finish ends on pear and vanilla. This is the soft, fruity ghost of Glen Grant's sister.