Category: Aberlour

[80 Proof・15 Years Old・Distilled in 1963・Bottled in 1978・Cadenhead Bottling・Limited Release]

Nose:

The nose is notably mild, subtle soapiness with some tingly notes, still there are some white fruits, lychees in particular with some buttery pastry in the background. Light brush of clean oak as the dram draws out faint hints of white floral note and toasted barley that are actually rather mesmerising.

Palate & Finish:

The light soapy notes carry on in the background with a thin brush of floral honey leading the sweetness. The malt is crisp and the fruits are zesty and pretty. The fruits-inspired sweetness is fairly translucent and elongates the delivery.

More crisp fruits surface in the finish, interacting nicely with the barley and the grapefruit peels, rather balanced really..

Thoughts:

Perhaps some shortcomings, but in truth a rather pretty dram..

☆ [Recommended]

-Nicholas

[40.0%・15 Years Old・Bottled Circa 2017・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

Poached pears and apple sauce, there is a toffee presence with some Italian herbs and perhaps a faint hint of smoke.

Palate & Finish:

Vanilla sauce and liquor soaked oranges; sultana and nutmeg with distant traces of milk chocolate coming up, bringing along a touch of red cherries as well..  all existing harmoniously.

Soft finish with a wee hint of sultana remaining.

Thoughts:

Certainly a quality Speysider that should prove to be quite competitive amongst its travel exclusive peers, rounded and generally pleasing without being too exhilarating but everything is in place.

-Nicholas

[40.0%・12 Years Old・Bottled Circa 2017・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

Freshly plucked apples and grainy malt; light traces of chocolate, raisins and candle wax.  Simple but clean and pleasant.

Palate & Finish:

Mouthfeel is a bit thin but there is a creaminess to it, a clean delivery of  apple crumble and cinnamon dust with a splash of spices showing a glimpse of character.

A hint of old fashioned soaked orange slices and mineral water.

Thoughts:

Quite a refined entry level whisky that foregoes the theatrics but embraces the idea of being pleasing; these small things matter..

✓

–Nicholas

[59.9%・NAS・Official Bottling]

Nose:

A gentle woodiness that brings along notes of French leather and finely cut tobacco, and lives and breathes of dark sherry; refined, classy and alluring.  Thick cream atop of Christmas cake that has a malty biscuit base, dressed with toasted almonds and milk chocolate nibs with a flow of maraschino cherries.

Palate & Finish:

Rich and powerful, a syrupy entry drenched with molasses, cola bear lollies with the oak acting as a counterbalance.  The tannins elevates the fragrant note whilst giving a bitterness that serves to draw the sweetness back, preventing it from being overwhelming.

The maltiness comes through and the barley grist provides for a textured mouthfeel.  The hints of dark cherry and dark chocolate just keep on extending, mesmerising.

Thoughts:

Bravo!  It’s batches like this that made the A’Bunadh such an iconic series.  An absolutely beautiful sherried whisky.  They really don’t make them like this anymore.

☆☆ [Highly Recommended]

-Nicholas