Scotland, Speyside: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
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Caperdonich

Distillery description Tasting notes

The distillery

Caperdonich

For information about the distillery, please click on the photo.

Caperdonich: independent bottlings

Caperdonich

Chieftain's Choice 28 years
Collection
 Chieftain's Choice
Age
 28 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Ian McLeod
Cask
 Hogshead
Dates
 Distil: 01-1974 Bottling: 02-2002
Bottle
 636 btls
Particularity
 (casks 389/391)
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
This whisky with a relatively discrete smell is amazing as it is rather different from other classical Speyside's. Despite the number of years spent in as cask, the taste is not too complex, but its slightly acid character recalling citrus fruits is very pleasant. I generally consider this acidity as a characteristic of a young alcohol, but in the case of this Caperdonich it adds some very pleasant characteristics . A long finish prolongs the pleasure of drinking this very pleasant whisky.
84/100
The nose is clearly marked by a surprising freshness with some hints of citrus fruit on a malted background. The palate does not confirm the first impression, and the freshness is replaced by a slight woody taste and some bitter and chocolate touches. The complexity in the mouth increases with a drop of water which reveals the clearly spicy character of this whisky. The finish is remarkable for its length and its clear malted and chocolate hints.
84/100The nose is deliciously fruity, rather fresh with discrete hints of hazelnut. Ripe pear and vanilla, a great sweetness without this sickly character which sometimes characterizes very sweet malts. The first mouth expresses a slightly dominating bitterness. An impression of orange zest soon followed by hints of sweet citrus fruit (tangerine) and then cashew nut notes. A very nice and pleasant mouth even if has a lack at complexity. A nice freshness here as well. The finish is rather long and the same smooth mix of orange zest, citrus acidity and nice nutty hints. A very nice bottle.
84/100
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Caperdonich

Gordon & MacPhail 1982 Reserve
Collection
 Reserve
Age
 22 years
Alcohol percentage
 55,2 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask number
single cask 15180
Dates
 Distil: 5-11-1982 Bottling: 19-4-2005
Bottle
 148 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Caperdonich Gordon&MacPhail 22 ans
The nose is rather pungent but quite fruity, ripe apples, developing on bananas after a while. Good smell, but a bit monotonous. The first palate is quite bitter, marked by the alcohol and reveals some sweeter notes after a few seconds, while remaining marked by this woody bitterness. The finish is warm and quite lingering, and just straight. No fantasy.
79/100
A very beautiful nose with nice hints of bee wax, mint, acid drop, sweet spices (cinnamon) and green apples.
In the palate, a real delight. A mix of woody bitterness and acidity. A subtle freshness combined to some touches of chocolate. The wood remains present but is pleasantly counter balanced by this smooth freshness.
Nice finish, lingering and prolonging exactly the mouth. Great class.
This whisky seems to have favourably "opened" since the first tasting...
88/100
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Caperdonich

Private Bottling
Age
 38 years
Alcohol percentage
 42,0 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Dates
 Distil: 1968 Bottling: 2006
Bottle
 60 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 81/100
Caperdonich 1968, private bottling
The nose is rather discrete, floral and gently perfumed with citrus hints. The mouth is quite simple, revealing a kind of acidity, and strangely without any woody influence, which could be expected for a whisky of that age. A lack of body. It seems this spirit is not yet able to reveal all its potential. This because it is first exceptionally discrete, and than develops shyly to more pleasant fragrances. A shy whisky? The finish is much like the mouth was. It is long, but misses some depth. Woody hints appear after some minutes which brightens up this rather deceiving whisky somewhat. It certainly deserves another chance.
79/100
A very expressive nose with nice floral notes. Some honey and delicious perfumes, nice balance and pleasant complexity announced by the nose.
The mouth is slightly marked by citrus fruits and presents some metallic sides. Less complex than expected.
Fresh finish from medium length. The acid freshness of the citrus fruit prolongs nicely the mouth impressions.
84/100
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Caperdonich

Rare Auld Cask Strength 38 years
Collection
 Rare Auld Cask Strength
Age
 38 ans
Taux d'alcool
 56,3 %
Embouteilleur
 Duncan Taylor
Numéro fűt
single cask 2616
Dates
 Distill: 10-1968 Embout: 11-2006
Bouteille
 39 de 174 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
liens et cote moyenne
 88/100
Caperdonich 38 Rare auld
An amazing nose, a mix of fruits (pears) and fresh hay (or dry grass). Lots of characterm and a nice developing over the time. Gradually new nuances appear. Hints of bee wax followed by a kind of menthol freshness. Some smoke and floral hints complete this more than pleasant nose.
In the palate, a nice complex acidity, hints of gentian and nice presence of alcohol. Amazingly this alcohol structures the whole instead of dominating on an unpleasant manner, as it is too often the case. The acidity is nicely mixed with a kind of perfumed bitterness (which I guess may be compared the best with gentian).
Finish is rather long and warm, still with this amazing mix of bitterness and acidity. An unusual acidity (no citrus impression) and an even more unusual bitterness (no real woody impression)> What a nice bottle. Amazing and very pleasant.
88/100
Very nice fresh fruity nose. Coconut, exotic fruits, mango and a touch of mint.
In the palate, a great freshness too. A micx of cashew nut and citrus fruit. A real firework of fragrances. Nice complexity, nice pleasant fresh fruity notes.
A finish of medium length where some memories of the coconut of the nose remain amongst other ones.
88/100
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Caperdonich

Rare Auld Cask Strength 35 years, The Nectar bottling
Collection
 Rare Auld Cask Strength
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,3 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Cask number
single cask 7424
Dates
 Distil: 11-1972 Bottling: 05-2008
Bottle
 25 of 136 btls
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links & average quote
 0/100
Caperdonich 35 Duncan Taylor
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Caperdonich

First Cask 1980-2006
Collection
 First Cask
Age
 26 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,8 %
Bottler
 Whisky Import Nederland
Cask
 Bourbon Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 7346
Dates
 Distil: 31-10-1980 Bottling: 10-11-2006
Bottle
 120 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Caperdonich First Cask 26
A very nice clear nose, with very nice malty notes merged with all the freshness of mint and cut grass. A touch of yeast behind the spring fragrances. At first nosing, this whisky seems to have a very strong character.
In the palate an amazing mix of sweetness and bitterness. A real firework of tastes. Papilla's have a great job... Somewhere between walnut and wood on the one hand and between malt and aromatic herbs on the other hand. Very complex, very wide taste palette. Really excellent.
The finish is very pleasant as well. A woody domination well tempered by malty notes. This finish is specially lingering. Really a very good bottle.
88/100
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Caperdonich

Cask Strength Collection 1992
Collection
 Cask strength Collection
Age
 19 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,3 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 46238
Dates
 Distil: 3-4-1992 Bottling: 17-5-2011
Bottle
 199 of 272 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 80/100
Caperonich 1992 Signatory CSC

Color: Gold
The nose is rather discrete and a blend of fruity notes and solvents seem to dominate at first. It then evolves into a pleasant floral notes. The presence of alcohol is undeniable.
In the mouth a first impression of aggressiveness predominates. The mouth is very acidic and relatively uncomplicated. Alcohol is definitely present here too. The fruity notes are crushed by alcohol, which is a shame.
The finish is long and fresh. This impression of acidity remains for a few minutes.
This is a bottle which was entitled to expect more ...
80/100
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Caperdonich: samples

Caperdonich

Gordon & MacPhail 1972 Reserve cask #4063
Collection
 Reserve
Age
 36 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,0 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask number
single cask 4063
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
An extremely expressive nose, where both fruit and vanilla seem to be dominated by a clear presence of nice sherry. A mix of plum and banana, coffee and chocolate and some nice but very present and pleasant woody hints.
The first impression in the palate is quite smooth, and all the aromas characterising the nose remain. Nice presence of sherry and a touch of woody bitterness comes in addition to this sherried plum jam impression.
A very nice finish, where a kind of oily bitterness, between hazelnut and wood, lots of character and a remarkable length
.88/100
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Caperdonich

Best casks of Scotland 1997
Collection
 Best casks of Scotland
Age
 8 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Jean Boyer
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
The nose is very fresh but some smoky hints and discrete salty, even maritim touches are present as well. In the palate, a very nice surprise. Some spices, some fruits, and just enough malt to make this rather modest whisky a very nice aperitve. A nice and lingering finish, with a touch of bitterness, contrasting with the fruity hints remain for a few minutes.
79/100
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Caperdonich

1972, Sherry Hogshead, #1144
Age
 38 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,4 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 Sherry Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 1144
Dates
 Distil: 10-1972 Bottling: 03-2011
Bottle
 98 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Caperdonich MOS 1972

Color: Old gold
At first, the nose is quite aggressive, and slight tingling sensation is present. We must give him some time for aeration.
After a few minutes, complex notes of ripe fruit, dried fruit and some wax scents emerge. A very slight fine woody sensation is also present in the background. This nose is not only complex but also very balanced, once the initial tingling vanished.

The mouth prolongs perfectly the nose. A slight discomfort caused by alcohol who would win probably be better controlled. Beyond this small inconvenience, the mouth is unusually rich, combining notes of ripe fruit to those of a refined woody impressions .

The finish is long, warm and complex. Warm notes of plum jam are added to the ripe fruit and light oak that were characteristic of the nose and mouth.
88/100
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Caperdonich

1972, Sherry Hogshead, #1145
Age
 38 years
Alcohol percentage
 52,4 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 Sherry Hogshead
Dates
 Distil: 10-1972 Bottling: 03-2011
Bottle
 76 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 87/100

Colour: Old gold
If the nose is slightly less complex than its twin (cask 1144), this whisky does not present any aggression at the the nose and very nice fruit notes and very slight bitter accents give it a nice balance. A very light and very pleasant feeling and remote woody scents and accents of sherry (plum jam) give it a particular charm.
The first palate is fruity sweetness evolving rather quickly to acid notes rather unfortunate because they do not have the freshness that might be expected. Fortunately they fade, even if we would have preferred them to do it a little faster.
The finish is pleasantly warm. Some memories of unpleasant acidity mouth, but overall it is the memories of nice notes of sherry that predominate here.
87/100
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Caperdonich: not in collection

Caperdonich

1972-2008
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 48,3 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Fair
Cask
 Refill sherry hogshead
Dates
 Distil: 1972 Bottling: 2008
Bottle
 188 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 Forum 92/100
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Caperdonich

35 years Old. From Huntly to Paris
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 53,4 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Cask number
single cask 6707
Dates
 Distil: 1972 Bottling: 2007
Particularity
 (For La Maison du Whisky)
links & average quote
 90/100
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Caperdonich

Cask Collection 26 years 1980-2007
Collection
 Cask Collection
Age
 26 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,2 %
Bottler
 Dewar Rattray
Cask number
single cask 7349
Dates
 Distil: 1980 Bottling: 2007
links & average quote
 85/100
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Caperdonich

1972-2011
Collection
 The Perfect Dram
Age
 38 years
Alcohol percentage
 58,4 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 Refill sherry hogshead
Dates
 Distil: 1972 Bottling: 2011
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 Forum 93/100
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Caperdonich

Rare Auld Cask Strength 36 years
Collection
 Rare Auld Cask Strength
Age
 36 years
Alcohol percentage
 51,2 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Cask number
single cask 7446
Dates
 Distil: 11/1972 Bottling: 09/2009
Bottle
 283 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 86/100
Caperdonich 36 DT
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