Caperdonich whiskey has had an interesting ownership history. In 1977, it became part of the Seagram's empire, a Canadian distillery and beverage company. Seagram's was a major player in the whiskey industry, known for its popular blends such as Chivas Regal, Passport, Something Special, and Queen Anne. Caperdonich became one of the many distilleries under the Seagram's umbrella.
However, in 2000, Seagram's was acquired by Pernod Ricard, a French spirits company. This acquisition led to a significant shift in ownership for Caperdonich whiskey. Pernod Ricard took over Seagram's assets, including Caperdonich, and became the new owner of the distillery.
Unfortunately, Pernod Ricard made the decision to mothball Caperdonich in 2002. This means that the distillery was effectively closed down and production ceased. It is a common practice in the whiskey industry to mothball distilleries when there is a decline in demand or when the cost of production outweighs the profitability.
Since then, Caperdonich has remained closed and has not produced any whiskey. However, there have been some independent bottlings of Caperdonich released as single malts. Independent bottlers acquire casks of whiskey from closed distilleries and release them under their own labels. These bottlings provide whiskey enthusiasts with the opportunity to taste the unique character of Caperdonich.
As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the chance to taste some of these independent bottlings of Caperdonich. The whiskey has a distinct flavor profile, often described as fruity, floral, and slightly spicy. It is a shame that the distillery is no longer in operation, as it produced some exceptional whiskies during its time.
Ownership changes in the whiskey industry are not uncommon, and they can have a significant impact on the production and availability of certain brands or distilleries. In the case of Caperdonich, it has gone from being owned by Seagram's to Pernod Ricard, and is now a closed distillery with limited releases available through independent bottlers.
To summarize:
– Caperdonich was owned by Seagram's from 1977 until 2000.
– Seagram's was then acquired by Pernod Ricard, who became the new owner of Caperdonich.
– Caperdonich was mothballed in 2002 and has not produced any whiskey since then.
– Independent bottlings of Caperdonich have been released, allowing whiskey enthusiasts to still enjoy its unique character.