Caperdonich – 25 Year Old Peated (70cl, 45.5%)

This is a peated Caperdonich, matured for 25 years in oak hogsheads and bottled at cask strength, 45.5% ABV, without chill-filtration. It belongs to the Secret Speyside Collection and is a small batch release with individually numbered bottles. Caperdonich stood in Rothes on the Spey and closed in 2002. Its remaining stocks hold both a peated and an unpeated style, and this bottle shows the peated side, with green apples, sweet pears, campfire notes and a touch of salt. The nose combines soft peat smoke with ripe apples and pears, and spicy hints behind. The palate is full and sweet, like a peat fire, with green apples and pears. The finish is very long and soft, with smoke and fruit lingering.