Cadenhead's Authentic Collection Caperdonich 23 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The firm of William Cadenhead Ltd, Wine and Spirit Merchants, was founded in 1842 and is Scotland's oldest independent bottler. The company was in the ownership of the same family until taken over by J & A Mitchell & Co.Ltd in 1972, the proprietors of Springbank distillery. Today, Cadenhead is legendary for bottling excellent single cask whiskies. The company places particular emphasis on the individuality and purity of each bottling. All whiskies are bottled undiluted at their natural maturing strength and are not subject to any artificial processing such as chill filtering or the addition of caramel.

The Caperdonich Distillery which sits adjacent to Glen Grant Distillery in Morayshire, Speyside, shares a chequered history with many other distilleries in Scotland. It was built in the 1890's to capitalise on the whisky sales boom of the era, only to be forced into bankruptcy following the collapse of Scotland’s largest whisky buyer, Pattison Elder and Co, soon after. Caperdonich remained silent until the mid 1960's when it was purchased by Glenlivet Distillers and began producing whiskies destined for blends. In 1977 the distillery was taken over by Seagram’s and continued to produce for blends, mainly Chivas Regal. It was finally closed in 2002 following the purchase of Seagram’s by Pernod Ricard. The distillery never actually bottled whisky under it’s own label, however, rare single casks have been purchased then released by several independent bottlers. We've just received very limited stocks of Cadenhead's extraordinary 1990 bottling.

Writing about Caperdonich in his 2006 Whisky Bible, Jim Murray comments “A distillery that can’t live day to day because the general spirit is so average can, in the right conditions, offer one of the greatest whisky experiences on Earth. Such is the beauty – and tragedy – of whisky.” We think you'll agree.

Tasting Note: Deep straw colour with pale straw hue. Superb nose of rich toffee, chocolate, barley sugar, vanilla, then pear, tropical fruit, grapefruit and a tiny hint of smoke and salt. The palate reflects the nose to perfection, with a wonderful plush texture, gentle spirit warmth, the toffee, barley sugar, and vanilla explode early then fade eventually to expose a very lightly smoked, fruit driven core, held up by underlying savoury biscuit and nuttiness. If you’ve ever wondered what critics were talking about when they write about being able to chew on, taste and feel the maltiness of a whisky, this is a classic example. Pristinely balanced. Very long aftertaste of grapefruit, toffee, and spice with a delicate smoke and salt finale.

Distilled in 1980 Bottled in 2004 at 58%
252 bottles produced. Matured in Bourbon Oak.

Due to the coarse filter used when bottling this whisky. Some bottles may contain a harmless sediment.