Caperdonich 22 Years Old

Whisky Review

• ABV: 60.5%
• Age: 22 Years Old
• Bottling: Lady of the Glen, Bourbon barrel #19130, 171 bottles
• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £400
• Origin: Caperdonich distillery
• Vintage: 1997

What they say

Originating in 1898, the Caperdonich Distillery was closed in 2001 and demolished in 2011; with its light, floral and creamy distillate forever lost to the Speyside region.

Our bottling of this rare single malt, fully matured in a Bourbon barrel, is the jewel in the crown of this outrun. Distilled on the 27th of August 1997 and bottled at cask strength on the 24th of July 2020; this amber hued dram is a piece of whisky history that would grace the shelves of any collector.

Official tasting notes:

• On the Nose Rum raisin fudge, stewed apricot and a honey on toast character.
• On the Palate Griddled pineapple and oranges dipped in chocolate.  Honeycomb and salted butter.
• Finish Clean and crisp with notes of creamy vanilla, allspice and walnut loaf.

What I say

A cask strength Caperdonich and even at 22 years old this is still over 60% ABV. Matured in an ex-bourbon barrel (likely first fill).

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Champagne gold (4/20), medium tears and long fine legs.
• Nose: Sweeter, apples, pears, bananas, polished antique oak wood, touch tropical fruit balsamic vinegar, coloured pencil shavings, madeira cake
• Taste: Sharp, sharpness grows as tannic oak wood, tropical mango balsamic vinegar, caramel, honey, some spices, clove oil, brioche, maderia cake, pineapple fritters in syrup.
• Finish: Long, leathery and drying, remnants of acidity and tannic spice

Overall

A real cake of a dram, there is some tropical fruit notes and plenty of tannic oaky spice which reveals its age. Coupled with that odd acidity and over tannic oak I can’t help but be reminded of mango balsamic vinegar

Score 91/100

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