Caperdonich 26 years 1996 - 2022 #82237

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Bottler Blackadder

Distillery / brand Caperdonich

Range Statement

Country Scotland

Region Speyside

Content Size 0.7 liter

Alc/vol 55.2%

Age 26 years

Distilled 16-05-1996

Bottled 12-2022

Cask number 82237

Cask type Hogshead

Number of bottles 170

Flavour Profiles Mature and complex

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€ 1.149,95

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Caperdonich 26 years 1996 - 2022 #82237

Though the Caperdonich distillery has long since closed its doors, its spirit continues to captivate connoisseurs through rare bottlings like this one. Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2022 from a single cask (#82237), this 26-year-old single malt is a tribute to craftsmanship, complexity, and the magic of Speyside’s golden age.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Delicate yet expressive. Sweet peach and candied orange peel take the lead, followed by soft vanilla, marzipan, and a hint of antique oak bookcases. As it opens up, floral nuances and a whisper of cinnamon emerge.

Palate

Full-bodied and silky in texture. Rich layers of dried fruits like figs and dates blend beautifully with milk chocolate, roasted nuts, and a warm spice of nutmeg. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by gentle oak.

Finish

Long and comforting, lingering with notes of butterscotch, a hint of soft smoke, and a touch of clove. A finish that invites contemplation—and another sip.

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.

Blackadder

Blackadder is an independent bottler of whisky, founded in 1995 by Robin Tucek. The company is known for its pure approach to bottling whisky, emphasising the preservation of the whisky's natural flavour and quality. Blackadder has earned a special reputation in the whisky world, especially for their signature ‘Raw Cask’ bottlings.

Raw Cask Series

Blackadder's most famous and unique series is the ‘Raw Cask’ series. In these bottlings, the whisky remains completely natural, and there may even be small particles of wood or charcoal present in the bottle, from the cask in which the whisky was matured. This is one of the features that make Blackadder unique, and it reflects the company's commitment to preserving the whisky's original state.

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.

Blackadder International is an independent, family-run bottler founded in 1995 by whisky experts Robin Tucek and John Lamond. The pair had previously co-written The Malt Whisky File, an influential reference work for enthusiasts. The Blackadder name refers to the seventeenth-century Scottish preacher John Blackadder, who managed to evade the authorities for several years.

From the beginning, the company followed a traditional approach. Blackadder bottles exclusively single cask whiskies, usually at cask strength, without chill filtration or added colouring. Its motto, ‘The Cask is King’, perfectly captures this philosophy: the cask and the whisky’s original character are allowed to speak for themselves.

In 2000, Blackadder introduced Raw Cask, the range for which it became best known. These whiskies are bottled almost directly from the cask, with fine cask particles and natural oils sometimes remaining in the bottle. Blackadder has also released distinctive ranges such as Peat Reek, Smoking Islay, Black Snake and Red Snake. Through this uncompromising style, the company has secured a loyal following among enthusiasts who appreciate characterful, unpolished whisky.