Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) vs Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Caperdonich
★ 5.00
£163

Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt)
Garnheath
★ 5.00
£225
| Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) | Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caperdonich | Garnheath |
| Region | Speyside | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 50.9% | 50.7% |
| Age | 30 yr | 42 yr |
| Price | £163.35 | £225.37 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt)
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) is better value at £163 vs £225.
For beginners: Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£163.35 vs £225.37)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (42 vs 30 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£225.37 vs £163.35)
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.
Who should buy Garnheath?
Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caperdonich 30 Years Old 1982 (cask 8778) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Only Garnheath 42 Year Old (cask 11524) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt)