Caperdonich 16-year-old (D.1972, B.1988) Sailing Ships (Benan), Signatory Vintage /40%/0.75l

Sailing Ships is a small series of whiskies (only three editions) from the Signatory Vintage portfolio released between 1988 and 1990.

The series was a nod to Ben Line, a British shipping company that operated trade routes between Europe and the Far East, and in particular its three tall ships: Araby Maid (1868), Bencleuch (1875) and, here, Benan (1875). The labels feature images of the ships by Captain Alexander Cromarty, who began working for the company in 1863 as second mate and whose career spanned 35 years. The Caperdonich presented here was distilled on 24 October 1972 and aged in three sherry casks, no. 7130-7132, for 16 years. Bottled in November 1988 in an edition of 1,200 bottles.

Nose: strong sherry tones, raisins, prunes, figs and dates, honey, brown sugar, dark chocolate, coffee beans, tobacco, traces of leather and oak.

Palate: beautifully balanced, black cherries, prunes, raisins, a hint of coconut flakes, honey, caramel, espresso, hazelnuts and sherry-soaked oak.

Finish: quite long, saturated with dried fruit, plums, raisins, honey, dark chocolate, a handful of dry herbs and sherry-soaked oak.