Review by: dustbunna
Distillery: Aberlour.
Bottler: Distillery bottling.
Region: Speyside.
ABV: 40%.
Age: 16 years. Bottled in 2021.
Cask type: Vatting of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Price: Gift (though runs approx. $110-130 locally.)
Color added, chill-filtered.
Bottle open across approx. 4 months, notes taken leisurely across that period. Bold notes taken beneath the shoulder, no significant change as the fill level dropped.
Nose: cooked apples, cocoa.
Palate: medium body ~ marzipan, dead leaves, baking spices, simple but rich.
Finish: short ~ bits of oak and spices, red fruits in the background.
Conclusion: This is not a whisky that was on my radar at all, though I’ve enjoyed Aberlours in the past (a few batches of A’Bunadh, the non-chill-filtered 12yr, and a handful of independents.) I was given this by a generous friend who isn’t a nerdy Scotch enthusiast, but does love sherried whisky with some age. It’s really quite uncomplicated, not exactly ripe with development, but I can’t deny that I like it. It’s more engaging than most 40%, chill-filtered whiskies I’ve tried so far (maybe Scapa 16 would give it a run for its money.) I wish this weren’t a three-figure-priced bottle at this point, as it simply cannot live up to the currency exchanged for the privilege, but on its own terms this Aberlour is quite enjoyable. An unflawed, easy sherried sipper, I’d bet it’d be a hit for any Macallan fan, and if I smoked, it probably would turn out to be a decent cigar malt too.
Final Score: 80.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 