Another of the Society’s remaining casks of Caperdonich – this one, drawn from the refill ex-bourbon barrel after 26 years of slumber. View on SMWS
Nose: Delicate florals (particularly rose) sit with wild honey, shortbread biscuits and cashews. In the background, Turkish delight, wet grass and ferns provide additional nuance. Dilution expands the aroma palette introducing sunflower oil, chopped hazelnuts, marzipan and a slice of freshly buttered toast. Mild-mannered, but oh so Tantalising.
Taste: Fruit-focused – peaches, apricots, guava and lychee straddle a stone and tropical fruit spectrum – all have a slightly dusty, dunnage aged edge. Berry (strawberry and raspberry) Eton mess is joined by milk chocolate, gingerbread men, and sophisticated lemony polish. Reduction adds a tinned fruit dimension with more of a tropical slant into mangos and overripe oranges. It also introduces the marzipan detected on the nose – brought back in Battenberg cake form.
Finish: Long with ripe stone fruits gradually moving towards sourness and plenty of old lacquered oak.
This Caperdonich makes up for its mellow and restrained outlook with plenty of quietly erudite fruitiness and heaps of natural integration. Expensive (remember the distillery was demolished in 2010), but rather lovely all the same. Recommended.
Score: 86/100