December 29, 2015

Two Aberfeldy 16 and one bonus

Aberfeldy’s usually quite light, so it’s probably the perfect malt to sip between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when your body needs a bit of rest. Today we’ll have some new or newish officials…

Aberfeldy 16 yo (40%, OB, 2015)

We had the 12 and the 18 a few months ago, but this one’s newer. Hope it’s got enough oomph… Colour: gold. Nose: very breakfasty, in the sense that it’s got plenty of teas and herbal teas at first nosing, as well as a little butter and raisins. Some hay as well, then more butterscotch and a touch of caramel. Reminds me of Dalwhinnie 15 years old. Mouth: same kind of combination, with a light body, but we’re rather closer to Glenlivet this time. Hay, apple pie, earl grey, butter cream, shortbread, and a little maple syrup. Very very gentle and light. Perhaps a bit of a Mars bar (not deep fried, eh.) Finish: short, a little maltier and spicier. Cinnamon cake, plum pie covered with cinnamon, nutmeg… Comments: all light and all easy, probably an excellent access-category malt for blend drinkers. Oh and the retro packaging is lovely. SGP:441 - 82 points.

Aberfeldy 16 yo 1994/2011 (46%, Mo Or Collection, bourbon hogshead, cask #4016, 460 bottles)

Colour: straw. Nose: isn’t it amazing how some extra-6% can make a whisky much more profound and assertive (love that word)? So much more oomph, and an unexpected mineral profile, more grass, some chalk, some bitter almonds, fresh concrete, then grapefruits and plenty of cider apples. Excellent punch and brightness. Mouth: what’s striking is the old-skool-ness, with more mineral notes, even a little salt, and then something curiously medicinal. Aspirin tablets, perhaps, camphor, cough syrup. Ex-Laphroaig cask? I find this very excellent. Finish: long, very chalky, more lemony, with zests in the aftertaste. Comments: rather unusual, but I love this zestiness. The Mo Or Collection was a great collection! SGP:352 - 86 points.

Bonus, the 21.

Aberfeldy 21 yo (40%, OB, +/-2015)

I used to the older version of Aberfeldy 21 quite a lot, despite its lightness. Not sure whether they changed the recipe or not along the new packaging… Oh and I’m not sure I’d have bottled a new 21 at 40% vol. The design is retro and the strength is retro too ;-), but the price is fair given the age (+/-85€). Colour: deep gold. Nose: but it’s even more breakfasty than the 16 yo! Although we’re rather finding marmalade and mint flavoured tea here, as well as curranty buns, Danishes, muffins, and all things from a New York coffee shop. No, not Starbucks. Very lovely nose, I have to say. Mouth: what a pity that they bottled it at 40% vol.! Because it’s totally excellent, bursting with raisins, jams, marmalades, and slightly mentholy herbal teas, some lemon grass, rose jelly, even tinned litchis, a perfect raisiny oakiness… Finish: short to medium, honeyed and grassy at the same time, with something Highland-Parky. Comments: shouldn’t we start petitioning? Why bottle any 20+ years old malt whisky at 40% vol.? Especially when it’s as excellent as this! SGP:551 - 86 points.

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

Pete McPeat and Jack Washback