Caperdonich 18 years old Peated, Batch CP/004 /48%/ – The Glen Grant Nº 2 Distillery was founded in 1897 and closed after five years. It reopened in 1965 as Caperdonich (‘Secret Well’ in the Gaelic) and ten years later was acquired by Seagram. The distillery operated under stewartship of Chivas Bros. and supplied malt to the company vast blended whisky portfolio, mainly Chivas Regal, Queen Anne, 100 Pipers and Something Special. Pernod Ricard took over Seagram’s Scottish whisky distilleries in 2001 and decided to cease Caperdonich operation almost immediately. The buildings were demolished in 2012. Here we have quite unusual expression from the distillery, Caperdonich 18 years old Peated (Batch CP/004). The whisky was aged in American oak barrels and bottled at 48% abv as part of Secret Speyside Collection.
Nose: fruity and pleasantly smoky (wood smoke), oranges, apricots, bunch of fresh herbs, caramel, milk chocolate, roasted almonds and traces of pine needles.
Palate: wood smoke, poached apples and pears, honeydew melon, orange peel, vanilla, sugared almonds, white pepper, a sprig of mint, licorice and a pinch of salt.
Finish: fairly long, smoky, sweet and salty, with notes of vanilla, milk chocolate, citrus, white pepper, ginger and toasted oak.
