| |
Residence
Hundreds of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2025
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is one among our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
January 16, 2025
|
|
  |
|
Caperdonich on the Tasting Desk
(a little bit of Caroni too)
|
|
Glen Grant’s sister distillery, closed in 2002 by its new house owners, Pernod Ricard, was later bought to the coppersmith and nonetheless producer Forsyth’s, who demolished it a couple of years later. I’m undecided whether or not it might have continued manufacturing, however in any case, the stills have been in adequate situation to be reinstalled at Belgian Owl and Falkirk Distillery. Let’s see what we have now…
(Geograph)
|
 |
|
|
Caperdonich 26 yo 1997/2024 (42.7%, Duncan Taylor, The Octave, cask #4137859, 47 bottles) 
It will likely be fascinating to see what type of sorcery has been employed right here, particularly contemplating that there have been fairly a couple of peated variations of Caperdonich produced that 12 months, with the house owners on the time, Seagram, having completed the identical at different distilleries comparable to Benriach. Color: gold. Nostril: apologies, no peat, however as a substitute some very pretty ripe mangoes and pear cake, together with beeswax, orgeat syrup and some amaretti. Additionally, a contact of faculty glue (the sort we might eat as youngsters however which, unsurprisingly, didn’t stick a lot of something). A really charming nostril, not ‘boosted’ within the slightest by the octave. Mouth: light bitters, apple peelings, hops, bitter almonds, a contact of cooked banana and pear, adopted by a mint-and-chamomile tisane that mingles with very high quality tannins, hinting at walnuts from the sherry. End: not immensely lengthy however very prettily fruity, with these almonds nonetheless on the helm and a murmuring sherry. Feedback: a really elegant little bottling.
SGP:461 – 86 factors. |
|
|
Caperdonich 27 yo 1997/2024 (52.7%, Liquid Treasures, fifteenth Anniversary eSpirits, bourbon barrel, 163 bottles)
Color: white wine. Nostril: yellow and white fruits, apples, whitecurrants, plums… It feels very near its neighbour Glen Grant, or so it appears. Melon and papaya emerge subsequent, together with a contact of rose-flavoured Turkish delight, making it fragrant, contemporary and cheerful. With water: barley and apple, we’re taking a stroll by the Scottish countryside. Mouth (neat): superb, pretty vigorous, specializing in orchard fruits paying homage to some wonderful Longmorns we tasted a couple of days in the past. Mirabelle plums, apples, quinces, gooseberries, then a drizzle of honey and a splash of Earl Gray. Simple and impeccable. With water: inexperienced fruits, a touch of watermelon, gentle vanilla and loads of contemporary malt. End: medium size, that includes pretty fruity inexperienced tea and that honeyed facet. Feedback: in my humble opinion, this wasn’t an ultra-distinctive malt however, ultimately, that’s exactly what provides it appeal.
SGP:551 – 87 factors. |
|
|
Caperdonich 25 yo 1994/2019 (58.2%, Alambic Classique, Uncommon & Previous Choice, Caroni rum barrel end, cask #19304, 205 bottles)
Naturally, with Caroni concerned, issues have been certain to alter… Color: copper gold. Nostril: that is an in-cask mix, in fact, and the rum instantly takes the lead over our little Caperdonich, bringing the same old notes of gasoline oil, tar, lime, brine and rubber/bakelite. Don’t get me improper, it’s really quite charming! All that’s adopted by citron liqueur and bergamots. With water: metallic polish, copper and brass cash, new tyres. Mouth (neat): a lot the identical feeling, however right here the Trinidad rum virtually delivers a way of peat, alongside pretty hefty doses of salted liquorice and even a contact of seawater. With water: the rum returns. It’s virtually extra ‘Caroni’ than ‘Caroni gentle’. End: lengthy, saline, barely extra kirsch-like. A touch of lovage or Maggi within the aftertaste. Feedback: one more merciless dilemma. One doesn’t fairly like the concept however actually enjoys the end result. If we needed to be intelligent, we would name it ‘Caperdonicht,’ however we’re not making an attempt to be intelligent. The difficulty, I have to insist, is that it’s superb—rattling it.
SGP:462 – 87 factors. |
|
|
Gone Grant 31 yo 1993/2024 (43.9%, Whisky Sponge, Decadent Drinks, 2nd fill barrel, 230 bottles) 
The identify ‘Gone Grant’ refers to the truth that Caperdonich was initially known as ‘Glen Grant #2’, and between the 2 sister distilleries, it’s this one—the #2—that has since ‘gone’. Is that clear sufficient? Color: gentle gold. Nostril: I do know one shouldn’t say this anymore, however I discover this nostril very female, refined, elegant, with wafts of basic fragrance (the type that adorned Marilyn Monroe) and high-end magnificence lotions. It grows more and more floral, with pronounced honeysuckle, ylang-ylang, rose petals—totally restrained—jasmine, and orange blossom… earlier than drifting in the direction of ripe bananas. Mouth: very delicate, certainly, leaning in the direction of fruit salad with a contact of cinnamon and honey. A fancy oak subtly underpins every thing with out ever imposing itself, which feels fairly miraculous at 44%. Very comfortable liquorice. End: not very lengthy however at all times fruity, vigorous, and barely extra unique. Even at this stage, the wooden by no means dominates. Feedback: there’s one thing virtually miraculous about this. It jogs my memory of the 1972s from Duncan Taylor—Caperdonichs as a lot as Glen Grants, for that matter.
SGP:651 – 91 factors. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
