Caperdonich

Caperdonich stood in the town of Rothes in Speyside, across the road from Glen Grant. It was founded in 1897 by the owners of Glen Grant and was first known as Glen Grant No. 2. It closed only a few years later, in 1902, and stayed silent for more than six decades.

The distillery was rebuilt and reopened in 1965 and took the name Caperdonich in 1967. It later passed to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, who closed it in 2002. The buildings were sold and demolished, so no more spirit will ever be made there.

Its whisky was made largely for blending, which is why official bottlings were rare for most of its life. The spirit is known for a light, fruity and often waxy Speyside character that many drinkers find blossoms with long ageing. Chivas Brothers have since released Caperdonich in its Secret Speyside Collection, including a 21 Year Old, alongside peated versions.

Most Caperdonich a buyer meets comes from independent bottlers, and because stocks are finite, prices tend to rise with age. Look for Gordon & MacPhail's Connoisseurs Choice and Private Collection, Douglas Laing's Old Particular, Signatory Vintage, Duncan Taylor's Rarest of the Rare, Berry Bros & Rudd and That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Many are single casks from the 1980s and 1990s.