Review 167: Caperdonich 1995-2013 Berry's

Like the Littlemill in the last review, this whisky is from a closed distillery. Caperdonich was, unfortunately, demolished in 2010. More fortunately, there is some of the whisky still around. This one is a 17 year old from 1995 released by Berry Bros (Cask Ref 95077).

Caperdonich 1995-2013 Berry's

Color: Amber -2

ABV: 46%

Aroma Neat:
White Wine, Apple Wine, Pink Lady Apples, White Peaches, Tangy Peat (very softly), Grass/Hay, Sweet Malted Barley, Confectioner's Sugar/Simple Syrup (slightly), Dried Pears, Nectarines, Fresh Oak (green), Chalk/Talcum (slightly).

Tangy and crisp in aroma and quite fruity, pretty much all of which seems to be coming from the spirit. This fruitiness with a hint of peat makes this whisky seem a bit old school in style (that's good for my tastes!).

Aroma Water:
Apples, Bosc Pears, Light Honey, Hay, Vanilla, Oily Peat/Smoke, White Peaches/Juice, Pink Grapefruit (slightly), Melon (honeydew, some cantaloupe), Malted Barley/Cereal, Sweet Young Riesling, Green Wood/Oak, Beeswax.

Similar to neat, but more open... how predictable. Seriously though, it's very good now. The fruitiness has grown more articulate and the peat is more noticeable as well.

Taste Neat:
Perfumed Apples, Light Honey, White Wine (fresh Riesling), Creamy Barley/Hot Cereal, Tangy Peat (nicely mineralic), Sweet Pear, Light Barrel Char, Freshly Hewn Oak.

Oh my goodness, I really like this whisky. Very fruity and spirit driven, with supporting influence from wood and peat. Continuing the old school trend set by the nose. Great stuff!

Taste Water:
Tinned Pears, Mineral Peat/Oily Smoke, Creamed Honey, Honeydew Melon, Peach/Grapefruit Juice (slightly), Apples, Cinnamon, Sweet Barley Wort, Light Barrel Char, Fresh Oak.

Peatier, but otherwise similar to neat. Yum!

Finish:
Dry Barley (somewhat bitter), Light Orange Honey, Diced Apples, Waxy Grain, Peat Tang.

Medium-short finish, which suits the aperitif nature of this whisky.

Conclusion:
Great old school fruity, peaty style on the nose.

Similar on the palate. Mainly spirit driven, but effectively supported by fresh oak.

Not the longest finish, but very tasty.

Rating: 88/100

Mmm, nice whisky and piece of history too. It's too bad that Caperdonich no longer exists. They seemed to make nice stuff. If only I could get my hands on a bottle from their legendary 1972 vintage... One can dream!

Josh