
June 10, 2016

Little duets, today Aultmore vs. Aultmore

I think Bacardi/Dewar’s managed to put Aultmore back on the malty map with their new official bottlings, all quite to my liking. But it’s rather some wee indies that we’ll have today…

Aultmore 16 yo 1999 (52.7%, Jack Wiebers, Great Ocean Liners, cask #304296, 120 bottles, +/-2016)

Colour: straw. Nose: barley, shortbread, brioche, apple pie, hay. I repeat, barley, shortbread, brioche, apple pie, hay. With water: a pile of old magazines, and more of the rest. Mouth (neat): malt, vanilla, apples, hints of sour coconut oil, shortbread, bottled orange juice. Minute Maid-like, but much better then Minute Maid! A little lemon. With water: it’s funny how it gains body and texture. Plasticine, candle wax, dry cider, grass… Finish: long and unexpectedly grassy. Maltier aftertaste. Which is actually good. Comments: less ‘gentle’ than I had expected. It fights. SGP:451 - 80 points.

Lets try a much older one…

Aultmore 36 yo 1974/2010 (46%, Mo Or Collection, bourbon hogshead, cask #3740, 264 bottles)

What an amazing collection this was! Right too soon? They also had a 1982 that was rather brilliant (WF 88). Colour: gold. Nose: wonderful, delicate, compact and plentiful at the same time… Starts with some eucalyptus an crème de menthe, then various old herbal liqueurs from the eastern block (the ones that hipster mixologists now buy for big money), and unfolds on bananas, oils, and waxes. A very lovely combination, with this polished complexity that only time can bring to malt whisky. Mouth: sure there’s a little oak, and perhaps a little too much beer… Well, there is too much beer and oak, ouch… It’s even getting flattish and kind of stale. No, the seal was perfect, the level was tops, and the whisky was bright! Cider from last night, fizzy things, cold black tea… I’m sure you’ve already experienced that. Pass. Finish: medium, not very pleasant. Some white pepper and traces of cheese. Reminds me of an old Moon Import from a similar vintage that was just as flattish. Comments: this what can happen with old whiskies. A stunning nose, and a totally disappointing palate. But let’s not be too harsh, because of the nose… SGP:551 - 75 points.

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

Pete McPeat and Jack Washback