Caperdonich 26 yo 1992/2018 (51.4%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #38.23 ‘Kissing a pear’, refill barrel, 277 bottles)
Colour: straw. Nose: fresh laundry in an airing cupboard, pollen-heavy lilies, honeysuckle, watermelon, some diluted pastis, brioche and quite a few biscuity notes such as digestive and shortbread. Lemon bonbons, barley water and some plain cereals with a wee buttery aspect. Very nice, if a little simple. With water: vitamin tablets in mineral water. This kind of cereal-scented effervescence and notes of cornflour, water biscuits, white meadow flowers and canvas. Very light. Mouth: sweet condensed milk, cornflakes, Weetabix, a little more generic melon, lemon peel and a slight cardboard note which isn’t too spectacular. More pollen, light runny honey, hints of heather and some new world IPA. With water: better! It sheds this cardboard note and goes towards pollens, grasses, cereals, freshly chopped herbs and more lemony and biscuity qualities. Finish: a bit short and a tad flat. Buttermilk, plain cereals, raw sunflower seeds. Not a whole lot happening I’m afraid. Comments: It had its moments but we’re a long way from the glories of early 70s Caperdonich. Good for summer and an ice cube though I’d suggest Serge...
SGP: 431 - 78 points.

Caperdonich 23 yo 1995/2018 (58.4%, Signatory Vintage 30th Anniversary, cask #95050, refill sherry hogshead, 265 bottles)
Colour: gold. Nose: much bigger and ‘fatter’ than the SMWS. This is all on golden syrup, hot cross buns, buttery crumpets, Golden Grahams breakfast cereal, a drizzle of olive oil and after a short while a few more mechanical aspects as well. Hints of oily rag and tool boxes. I also get wee touches of caraway, mint julep, ginger biscuits and various kinds of fruit teas. Some kind of spiced mead and a few other stewed garden fruits. With water: now the fruits come to the fore. In the form of fruit salad juices, fruit jellies, kiwi, plum jam and gooseberry. Perhaps a couple of pineapple cubes from the sweetie shop as well. Also some drier autolytic notes of bread dough and baking soda in the background. Mouth: lean, sleek and rather syrupy with white pepper, star anise, jasmine tea, black olive, some very delicate ointment notes and spicy cocktail bitters. Unusual and very good I think. Develops towards freshly baked breads - wholemeal - and notes of dried dark fruits such as date and sultana. With water: lemons and limes. Sunflower oil, green tea, hibiscus, parsley and bay leaf. Again it’s treading this tightrope between drier, more tertiary elements and various fruity subtleties. Holds your attention well. Finish: good length. Lots of lemon cough drops, orange cordial, cocktail sugar syrup, butter biscuits and a few dried herbs. Comments: Unusual, interesting and very good latter era Caperdonich. Seems the distillate didn’t quite run out of steam after all! Yet another solid selection for Signatory’s 30th birthday bottlings.
SGP: 561 - 88 points.