Secret Speyside is an exclusive whisky series from Chivas Brothers, created to celebrate some of Speyside’s most hidden and rare distilleries. The series includes unique bottlings from Caperdonich, Glen Keith, Braes of Glenlivet, and Longmorn – some of the region’s best-kept secrets. Each bottle offers something special, from elegant and fruity notes to smoky and complex flavour profiles. With a PR-driven connection to both history and craftsmanship, Chivas Brothers aims to captivate both beginners and whisky connoisseurs alike, opening the door to a world of exciting flavor experiences from the heart of Scotch whisky.
Caperdonich is a name that, for many whisky enthusiasts, carries mystery and a rich history. Located in the heart of Speyside, this legendary distillery was built in 1898 in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, Glen Grant. Originally known as “Glen Grant No. 2,” it led a quiet existence until it closed in 2002. Today, its presence is even quieter, and I must admit I know little about this now-defunct distillery. Despite its relative obscurity, Caperdonich lives on through its bottlings. Their whisky is often described as elegant and complex, with notes of honey, vanilla, and various fruits. Today, Caperdonich stands as one of Speyside’s lost gems, and now it’s my turn to explore what once was!
Secret Speyside – Caperdonich 25 YO Unpeated 48%
Nose: Unsalted butter, lemon curd, and French nougat are the first impressions. After that, vanilla custard and gooseberry jam appear. The nose is quite dense and a bit oily, not as restrained as bourbon-cask-matured unpeated whiskies can sometimes be. Almond cookies now, and pencil shavings. Fantastic nose!
Palate: Oily, peppery, with loads of fresh apple! There’s also pineapple and cola strings, and after a while, both honey and a touch of sweet peppermint emerge. The finish is long and fruity, with coconut and just a hint of oak.
Verdict: This is a lovely bourbon cask-matured Scotch, coming from (I suppose) a slighthly tired cask and still showing lots of character. Delicious!
Secret Speyside – Caperdonich 27 YO Unpeated 49.2%
Nose: A total butterscotch shock when pouring the whisky into the glass! Burnt sugar, or perhaps almond brittle, but it feels a bit calmer than the younger sibling I just nosed. Lots of banana bread, followed by hazelnuts instead of almonds. After some time, ripe fresh pear appears.
Palate: Ironically, this bottling feels bolder on the palate than the 25-year-old. The apple note is here too, but now it’s oven-baked and accompanied by cinnamon. Chocolate brownie, pear soda, and Brazil nuts. The finish becomes delightfully feisty with black pepper, tutti-frutti notes, and slightly bittersweet coffee.
Verdict: This one is livelier than its younger sibling and offers great complexity. It’s incredibly fun when old, bourbon-cask-matured unpeated whisky is this playful. While I enjoyed the 25-year-old, the 27-year-old wins between the two.
Secret Speyside – Caperdonich 27 YO Peated 54.4%
Nose: Lots of milk chocolate and honey immediately upon pouring, almost like Toblerone. When I stick my nose into the glass, I detect a different kind of smoky profile. Ink pen (like coloring intensely with a pen on a small spot of paper), a hint of smoke, soaked grain, and then that “funky” note I associate with Jamaican rum (and once found in a peated private cask from Mackmyra) – olive brine. I guess those who enjoy Jamaican rum won’t detect the olive note but instead find other treasures, but for me, it takes over completely. Not my thing, but the taste could still hold surprises.
Palate: Sweeter than expected and only a tiny bit of “funkiness,” which I can handle. The smoke is rich and peaty but doesn’t overpower thick layers of honey, applesauce, toasted coconut, and candied ginger. The finish is quite lovely, with sootier smoke, lightly bitter tones, and sweet, spicy rye bread.
Verdict: After my nose completely rebelled (I really can’t handle “Jamaica funk”!), I approached the glass with great caution, haha. Honestly, it felt strange to find both something I absolutely couldn’t tolerate and a lot of things I loved in the taste. This whisky isn’t a winner for me, but it could easily be one of the – if not the – most interesting smoky whiskies I’ll try in 2025! I also know that what I experience as “olive brine” is something others describe as “delightful funk,” so don’t be put off by my quirky tasting notes. While I won’t buy a bottle of this, I think all smoke lovers should try it if they get the chance. I know I’ll be on the lookout for more smoky Caperdonich in London this fall because this left me wanting more!
In summary, I found the two unpeated bottlings to be very similar, which reflects the distillery’s character: for me, that’s butter, apple, and nuts. So much fun and absolutely delicious! And while peated Caperdonich wasn’t a favorite in this case, it definitely left a lasting impression and might be the strongest, most interesting, and perhaps the most entertaining memory I’ll take from this lineup.
