Caperdonich 12 years 1968 Connoisseurs Choice 75cl

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Bottler Gordon & MacPhail

Distillery / brand Caperdonich

Range Brown label

Country Scotland

Region Speyside

Content Size 0.75 liter

Alc/vol 40%

Age 12 years

Distilled 1968

Flavour Profiles Mild and refined

Filling level Low neck

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€ 699,95

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Caperdonich 12 years 1968 Connoisseurs Choice 75cl

This Caperdonich was distilled in 1968 and was bottled in the Connoisseurs Choice series by Gordon & MacPhail around 1980 after a 12-year maturation in oak casks. This series has been around since the late 1970s and has changed labels regularly. Colloquially, this version is called 'brown label'. For a bottle bottled over 40 years ago, the condition is particularly good.

Tasting note

Nose

Honey and soft fruit in the form of stewed red fruits. Yet also some fresher notes of freshly cut grass and a hint of vanilla.

Taste

The green notes of the nose also come into their own on the palate. In addition, you taste the 60s. At this time, different grain, different yeast and especially with less haste were distilled, you can just taste that. Character and firm bitter notes with a slight hint of copper. Give the glass time, you will be rewarded for your patience.

Finish

This is enjoyment, a nice combination of sweet, sour and that delicious bitterness. Firm fruit and light spice here too.

Caperdonich Distillery

Caperdonich Distillery was located in the heart of the Speyside region, in the small town of Rothes. Founded in 1898 by James Grant under the name Glen Grant No. 2, the distillery closed in 1902 and only reopened in 1965 under the name Caperdonich, meaning 'secret spring' in Gaelic. The distillery has a rich, if intermittent, history in whisky production.

A unique feature of Caperdonich was the use of water from nearby springs, which contributed to the purity and character of their whiskies. Caperdonich whiskies were known for their smooth and complex flavour profiles, with notes of honey, fruit, vanilla and a slight spiciness. The distillery used traditional copper pot stills and the whisky matured mainly in ex-bourbon casks, which ensured a balanced and refined flavour.

Although the distillery closed permanently in 2002 and was later demolished, the remaining bottles remain highly sought after by aficionados, collectors and investors due to their rarity and exceptional quality. Caperdonich remains a respected part of Scotch whisky history, remembered for the unique and high-quality single malts it produced.

Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is one of the most respected and influential independent bottlers in the whisky world. With a history dating back to 1895 and a commitment to quality, craftsmanship and innovation, the company has played a key role in the development and popularisation of single malt whisky. Their extensive portfolio, ranging from rare old whiskies to unique expressions from well-known distilleries, makes Gordon & MacPhail a favourite among whisky collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

History

Gordon & MacPhail was founded in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It began as a grocery shop in Elgin, selling a wide range of products, including tea, coffee, wine, and spirits. Soon the company focused on whisky, starting by bottling single malts, and one of Gordon & MacPhail's most important contributions to the whisky industry was their vision of maturing whiskies over long periods of time. While many distilleries focused on producing whisky for blends, Gordon & MacPhail saw the potential of single malts and began storing whiskies in their own casks for long-term maturation.

Please note

This bottle was bottled a long time ago. Please be careful when opening. The closure may have deteriorated. The item is sold as photographed and described. We do not accept any liability for the condition of the closure.

Caperdonich was built in Rothes in 1898 by J. & J. Grant as Glen Grant No. 2. Standing opposite Glen Grant, the new distillery was intended to meet rapidly growing demand for its whisky. The timing proved unfortunate: following the collapse of the whisky market, production ceased in 1902. The distillery did not return to operation until 1965. Two years later, the number of stills was increased from two to four, and in 1977 it was renamed Caperdonich.

That same year, the distillery passed to Seagram through The Glenlivet Distillers. Its whisky was used mainly for blended Scotch, so official single malts remained extremely scarce for many years. Pernod Ricard acquired Caperdonich in 2001 but closed it permanently in 2002. The buildings were demolished in 2011.

Caperdonich is therefore regarded as a lost Speyside distillery. Independent bottlings and the later Secret Speyside collection reveal both unpeated and smoky whisky. Limited remaining stocks, advanced ages and the disappearance of the distillery itself have made Caperdonich especially desirable among collectors and whisky enthusiasts.

Gordon & MacPhail is a Scottish whisky specialist and independent bottler, founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. The business began as a grocery shop offering tea, coffee, wine and spirits. John Urquhart joined soon afterwards, and his family continued to develop the company over several generations.

Gordon & MacPhail became renowned for maturing new-make spirit from Scottish distilleries in carefully selected casks of its own. The relationship between distillery character, type of wood and extended maturation has always been central to this approach. This expertise created an exceptional inventory of single malt whisky, including remarkably old and rare bottlings. Introduced in 1968, the Connoisseurs Choice range also played an important part in building international interest in single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1993, the family acquired Benromach Distillery, which reopened in 1998 following extensive restoration. The Cairn Distillery followed later. Gordon & MacPhail thus developed from a shop and bottler into a whisky maker, distillery owner and maturation specialist, with wood remaining a defining influence in every whisky.