Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) vs Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
£229
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Caperdonich
★ 5.00
£163
| Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) | Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Thompson Bros. | Caperdonich |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51% | 50.9% |
| Age | 35 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £228.95 | £163.35 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) is better value at £163 vs £229.
For beginners: Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 30 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (51%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£228.95 vs £163.35)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£163.35 vs £228.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Side?
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Caperdonich?
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)