28/05/2017 Two Caperdonich

Today, I join Bishlouk on an excursion to the nearby Arran (more on that in the next post). Bishlouk, on his first visit to Scotland, is suitably impressed with the scenery and stops several times for pictures. Regardless, the long drive from Campbeltown to Claonaig is uneventful and we are almost 30 minutes early for the ferry. Since we are now pedestrians, why not have a couple of drams?

Caperdonich 14yo 1996/2011 (51.7%, Cadenhead, Bourbon Hogshead): nose: fruity jam at first sniff, then hay and malt appear. It smells of a day in the sun, a bit. Altogether, a little shy. Mouth: dry, malty, with hay and hot sesame oil. Perhaps also shoe polish. Dry-cured bacon, rather, yet it is not overly meaty. Flowers and preserved orchard fruit. Finish: a lovely note of honeyed porridge and coconut, as well as a faint bitterness (avocado stone). 8/10

Caperdonich 20yo 1992/2013 (55.5%, Edition Spirits The First Editions, Refill Bourbon Hogshead, 183b): nose: hay, dry grass, straw, perhaps, then a cereal-y note develops. Mouth: viscous, with cereals and porridge, augmented with a spoonful of honey and the bitterness or acidity of grape pips. Finish: apricots, sultanas, porridge, long and pleasant. 8/10 (thanks LM for the sample)

The ferry is now here.