November 30, 2015

A few Aberlour

All officials.

Aberlour 12 yo 'Double Cask Matured' (40%, OB, +/-2015)

This is a lighter brother of the 12 yo Un-chillfiltered that’s bottled at 48% vol. and that I really like. Colour: gold. Nose: fresh, malty, and kirschy at first nosing, with an almondy side, some notes of fruit stones (yeah, kirsch and plum eau-de-vie), then rather more leather and earth. I find it rather complex and, again, fresh. Whiffs of sour dough, fresh bread… That should be the malt speaking out. Mouth: easy and malty again, very coherent with the nose, but with more spices. Very fine body, closer to 43% than to 40% vol. The sherry takes off after five seconds, with raisins and prunes. Fruitcake and chocolate, and perhaps one Mon Chéri. Do you know Mon Chéri? Finish: medium, drier and a little rougher, with cloves and cinnamon. Gingerbread, perhaps. Comments: really very fine, not unlike a civilised, gentler A’bunadh. And it’s not expensive at all! SGP:451 - 84 points.

Aberlour 16 yo 'Double Cask Matured' (40%, OB, +/-2015)

A newish version, sadly bottled at 40% vol., which I rather find cheapish. Colour: amber. Nose: a typical vegetal and leafy sherry, which I find a little too leathery after the 12. Quite some sour dough again. I think I enjoyed the nose of the 12 better. Mouth: ah, now we’re talking. Bitter oranges, raisins, walnuts, Christmas cake, these notes of kirsch and damson plums again, a touch of honey. It is a wee tad weakish indeed, I’d say bottling this high quality whisky at 43% would have been smarter. But who am I? Finish: medium long, lovely, on oranges and chocolate, with a hint of leather again. Comments: perhaps not what I would have called a nosing single malt. I’m still a little more in favour of the 12. Savings, at last! SGP:451 - 82 points.

Aberlour 14 yo (48%, OB, for The Whisky Lodge Lyon, first fill sherry, cask #3455-WL, 2015)

This one just bottled for an excellent whisky shop in Lyons/Lyon, which you just shouldn’t miss when in the former Capital of the Gauls! They also have a very nice selection of rums (more about those later). Colour: gold. Nose: we’re well in the same family, with this typical leafy leather, but it’s also got more fragrant notes, such as flowers (dandelions, peonies) and heather honey ala old HP. Also lovely hints of turpentine and linseed oil, then the expected raisins and plums, plus walnuts. ‘Light’ first fill sherry. Mouth: beats the others fair and square, but that was to be expected. Starts with some peppery malt, goes on with bitter oranges and ‘soft’ raisins, and keeps unfolding with small earthy touches, mushrooms, a touch of ginseng, a little gentian… That’s all very nice. Finish: long, and zestier, more reminiscent of some indie unsherried Aberlours. Oranges, pink grapefruits, white pepper, perhaps one bay leaf. The spicy leather is back in the aftertaste. Comments: it’s rather big, and very Aberlour. Very well selected, but I guess it’s not going to be easy to get this baby outside France. SGP:451 - 88 points.

Check the index of all Aberlour I've tasted so far