THE ARDENNES LEATHER – Score: 6/10
Caperdonich, a distillery that defies the conventional mold, or should we say, the incomplete mold. Riding the wave of the late 19th-century boom, an annex was erected adjacent to Glen Grant to bolster production. (Yes, reminiscent of Glengyle and Springbank’s contemporary strategies.)
Despite the proximity, these twin sisters forged their own distinct identities. Regrettably for Caperdonich, it couldn’t weather the market’s caprices and its subordinate role to Glen Grant. In 2011, it was dismantled and auctioned off, a silent witness to changing times.
Thankfully, the venerable bottler AD Rattray salvaged a few casks, offering us this 1992 vintage aged for two decades in bourbon barrels.
The palate unveils bold notes of syrup and leather, undoubtedly the result of its time spent maturing in the barrel, intensifying the classic aromas. However, the wood imparts a lingering bitterness in the finish, and the somewhat unsteady integration of alcohol lends a fiery kick to this whisky.
For me, it’s a mixed tasting experience, one I won’t be revisiting anytime soon.
