Caperdonich 1997/2020 Lady of the Glen 22 years old Single Speyside Malt Whisky 60,5%

Rothes lost Caperdonich in 2002, and the walls came down a few years later. Only the casks remain, and there are fewer of them every year. This is one of them, pulled from the warehouse after 22 winters.

Expert description

Caperdonich 1997/2020 Lady of the Glen 22 years is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at cask strength of 60.5%.

The cask carries the number 19130 and was filled in 1997, five years before Chivas Brothers closed the distillery for good. Lady of the Glen, the Scottish independent bottler from Fife, bottled it in 2020 without chill filtration and without added colouring. Caperdonich was originally built as Glen Grant No. 2 and mostly made malt for blends, which is why official bottlings are scarce. Bottlers like this one keep the distillery character alive.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried apricot and hay first, then vanilla, coconut and a thick waxy note from the bourbon cask. Give it five minutes in the glass and baked apple and a touch of white pepper appear.

Palate

The strength is there from the first sip, but it does not bite. Caramelised pear, honey, malt and toasted oak, with an oily texture that coats the tongue. A few drops of water open up a clear lemon peel.

Finish

Long and dry, with oak, nutmeg and a faintly bitter almond note that lingers well after the sweetness has gone.

Specifications

Name: Caperdonich 1997/2020 Lady of the Glen 22 years Single Speyside Malt Whisky 60,5%
Distillery: Caperdonich
Bottler: Lady of the Glen
Region/Country: Speyside Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 22 years
ABV: 60.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon hogshead no. 19130
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1997
Bottled: 2020
Number of bottles: 171
Edition: Single Cask

Flavour profile

Fruity · Waxy · Malty · Spiced · Cask Strength

Investment potential

High. Caperdonich is closed and demolished, and the supply of single cask bottlings with two decades in wood keeps shrinking. Bottles from the distillery have risen sharply in value since it shut down.

Did you know?

Caperdonich was originally named Glen Grant No. 2 and stood across the road from its parent distillery. A pipe ran under the road carrying spirit from one house to the other, and locals called it the whisky aqueduct.

See our full range of Caperdonich Whisky
See our full range of Lady of the Glen

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Caperdonich 1997/2020 Lady of the Glen 22 years

What does Caperdonich from an ex-bourbon cask taste like?

Dry, fruity and waxy. The bourbon cask lays vanilla, coconut and baked apple over Caperdonich's malty core, and 22 years have given the whisky an oily texture without the oak taking over. It is noticeably drier than most sherried Speyside malts.

Is it worth collecting?

The rarity argues for it. Caperdonich closed in 2002 and was demolished in 2011, so no new spirit will ever come from the site. This is also a single cask from a respected independent bottler, and bottles like that disappear from the market quickly.

Should I add water?

Try it neat first, then add a few drops. At 60.5% the alcohol tightens the nose, and a little water opens the citrus and makes the sweetness clearer. Go slowly, because you can always add more.

What does Single Cask mean?

It means the entire bottling comes from one single cask, without being blended with others. The flavour is therefore unique to that cask, and the number of bottles is limited by what the cask held.

What is Speyside whisky known for?

Speyside usually stands for fruit, malt and soft sweetness rather than smoke. The region has the highest number of distilleries in Scotland and the styles vary widely — you can explore them in our range of Speyside Whisky.

Who are Lady of the Glen?

A Scottish independent bottler based in Fife, founded in 2012 by Gregor Hannah. They buy individual casks from a range of distilleries and bottle them at cask strength without chill filtration or added colouring.