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Duncan Taylor Releases Two Rare Scotches Five Decades Old

Duncan Taylor Scotch recently added two new older whiskies in their “Rarest of the Rare” portfolio to share with fans of their single malts.

It’s rarified liquid to be sure, dating back as far as 1969, as the launch of a Kinclaith 51-year-old and Caperdonich 50-year-old form part of a collection of rare whisky casks from closed distilleries that Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky matured in their warehouse for half a century.

Both these whiskies have notable histories, as Kinclaith’s production ended in 1975 and whisky making of Caperdonich from Rothes closed out in 2002.

Kinclaith & Caperdonich
Kinclaith 51-year-old and Caperdonich 50-year-old (image via Duncan Taylor)

This is the first time that the Aberdeenshire bottler has launched drams dating back more than 50 years.

Interestingly, Kinclaith’s origins date back as far as 1957. Located on the south side of the river Clyde, this small malt distillery was housed within the larger Strathclyde grain distillery complex.

All its vital ingredients were local and the liquid matured in a combination of American and European oak casks. It closed in 1975 and was demolished to make way for an extension being built at Strathclyde.

Caperdonich’s beginning dates back to 1898. It was mothballed for six decades before Caperdonich’s production was reinstated in 1965 to fulfill demand for The Glen Grant. That culminated in the expansion of the Caperdonich distillery site in 1967.

The new pot stills were steam heated and the whisky was given a new title in 1966, Caperdonich. The name was chosen after its water source.

For this special release, less than a hundred handcrafted glass decanters are available of each of these rare whiskies worldwide. The bottles will be individually numbered and engraved as well as housed in a lockable framed box, inside a brushed stainless steel carry case.

The distiller’s notes show that the 50-year-old Caperdonich delivers on the palate a frothy caramel latte topped with cinnamon. A long-lasting finish of gentle warm spices and sweet toasted oak notes round it off.

The 51-year-old Kinclaith is full gold in color and on the nose has fragrant sweet oak notes. The cask remains active offering the taste of seasonal spices, clove and cinnamon.

Euan Shand, chairman of Duncan Taylor, said in a prepared statement, “I feel it is a privilege to be the custodian of these stunning rare casks. Originally filled back in 1969, it’s the start of an exciting chapter at Duncan Taylor as we plan to release a selection of rare malts from our portfolio over time.”

Both whiskies are currently available by ballot only from https://therarest.duncantaylor.com with a suggested retail price for Kinclaith of £12,300 and Caperdonich of £10,750.

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