Caperdonich Boutique-y Batch 4 vs 20yo 1992 Berry Bros #121125
If you need any proof that the whisky making process is not fully understood consider the strange case of Caperdonich. Built next to Glen Grant, and at one time even referred to as Glen Grant B, Caperdonich was meant to be nothing more than a volume booster for Glen Grant. As such the entire process mirrored Glen Grant. Even the stills are a copy of Glen Grants:
And to illustrate, these are Glen Grant’s:
For a while from the time it reopened in 1965 (it closed in 2002), it was even connected by pipe and new make would flow from Caperdonich to Glen Grant to be filled, and quite possibly even vatted there. The pipe even feature in the Boutique-y labels below. And yet it has been said that it made a recognizably different malt. Malt Mill at Lagavulin is another such famous story, but you probably already knew about that one.
Caperdonich Batch 4, 48.1%
Nose: Wow very light. Not expecting such a light nose. Cut flower stalks, a handful of green leaves crushed. Pear eau de vie. A very estery high toned nose. The very tiniest hint of malt. An equally tiny measure of vanilla essence and faint wood. Vague citrus blossom, maybe also some other floral notes. The nose sits squarely in the upper register with nothing heavy or deep.
Palate: Well. Much more on the palate than the nose, but in this case it is not a good thing. Big but remarkably stale florals. Grandma’s perfume on the dress she drenched yesterday. Bad.
Finish: Long with loads of rotten flowers. No.
Stay. Away.
Caperdonich 20yo 1992 Berry Bros #121125 46%
Nose: Remarkably similar to its junior. Again a light estery nose with these cut stalks and fresh crushed leaves. But time and wood has worked some magic. Touch heavier with some light olive oil, but more on vanilla pudding, sweet white wood. Some newly applied wood lacquer. Fresh cut english pears are still there. Again a rather vacant nose, though remarkably fresh with nothing to suggest this is anywhere near the 20 years it is. 4th refill bourbon?
Palate: Spicier on the tongue than the nose suggests. Surprise! Clean white heat of white pepper and alcohol and not much else. Maybe some lime leaf, develops some bitter juniper. All very vague and transient.
Finish: Long, slight off wood note and more bitterness.
Not the most conversational malt, filled into a silent cask. Might be great at 50 years?
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