Caperdonich 1979 - The Recollection Series #2 "Private Collection" G&M, 700ml

The ‘Private Collection’ features a truly exceptional and unique range of greatly aged single malts from a mixture of celebrated, little-known, and now closed distilleries across Scotland.

Caperdonich was distilled in 1979 and bottled in January 2023 at cask strength 53.1%. Matured in a single Refilled Sherry Butt #1105. Bottled under the Private Collection Series and the Recollection Series #2.

Only 246 hand-blown crystal decanters have been produced.

Now sadly lost in the mists of distilling’s bygone era, the Caperdonich Distillery (Gaelic for ‘The Secret Well’) was effectively Glen Grant’s sister distillery. Founded in 1897, the Rothes distillery, known as Glen Grant Number 2, was closed four years after opening only to reopen in 1965. The modern distillery, named after the well from which it took its water, was mothballed in 2002, effectively calling time on the distillery forever.

Those Caperdonich casks still in existence are highly sought after. The whisky has a distinctly rich, mossy, dry character with lovely light herbal and fruity notes. A snapshot in time, Caperdonich is a closed distillery definitely worth seeking out.

Nose: sweet stewed red berry aromas lead to Seville orange peel and mixed nuts. Treacle toffee intertwines with festive spices and a hint of grapefruit.

Palate: smooth and sweet raspberry and blackcurrant flavours combine with butterscotch. Prunes lead to walnuts and a hint of dried banana.

Finish: full and long finish with spice and lingering citrus fruit.