Caperdonich was supposed to match the flavour profile of its sister distillery, Glen Grant, more as an extension than a separate operation. However, the profile is subtly, yet distinctly different. It is a light, floral style with a fairly creamy body. The fruitiness is more earthy than its Glen Grant sister, but still with pear and stone fruit character. There is also a hint of herbal, minty notes beneath the fruit.
Founded
1898
Owner
Pernod Ricard
Production Status
Demolished
Capacity
N/A
Caperdonich was built across the road from Glen Grant as the first of the 'extension distilleries', and was intended to expand the production of Glen Grant, rather than act as an independent distillery of its own. Unfortunately, it was built on the back of the increase in demand for whisky that was generated by the Pattison brothers. When the brothers' dodgy business practices were exposed and their bankruptcy led to the Pattison Crash, many distilleries were closed.
Glen Grant #2, as it was then known, was one of these unfortunate distilleries and was shut down after only four years of production. The maltings at the distillery and the warehouses continued to be used to help provide resources for Glen Grant, but the stills remained dormant until 1965. At this point the distillery was reopened and expanded with two new stills added to shore up demand during the whisky boom of the 1960s and 70s.
In 1977 Seagram's bought the distillery and, in line with the new UK laws, changed the name to Caperdonich as no two distilleries were allowed the same name. They made two different styles during this period and production levels were relatively high, and in 1985 the stills were replaced and returned to the original shape used, similar to Glen Grant's own stills. Despite this, the flavour profiles were different, which is a delightful mystery for whisky geeks to discuss.
The distillery ran until Pernod Ricard bought it in 2001 and then ceased production, mothballing the site in 2002. From 2010 to 2011, the distillery has been demolished, and the stills set to use in other distilleries. Because of the origin of the distillery as an extension of Glen Grant, Caperdonich has long been considered a second-rate spirit, and unfortunately has not gained quite the recognition it deserves. It has developed a strong but small following for the remaining independent bottlings.