Two Aberfeldy at drinking strength


January 19, 2017

Two Aberfeldy at drinking strength

A short and probably easy little session today. We expect barley and garden fruits!

Aberfeldy 1999/2015 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice)

A blend of 1st fill sherry hogsheads and refill bourbon barrels, according to the back label. Colour: straw. Nose: you’ll notice the rather leafy sherry in this Aberfeldy that’s more powerful than expected. Also overripe apples, touches of earth and cardboard dust, mashed potatoes, and perhaps mashed Jerusalem artichokes. More fresh barley after that, and hints of ale. Mouth: fresher and fruitier, even zesty, slightly fizzy perhaps, with orange and blackcurrant sweets, then rather cornflakes and oatcakes. Raisin buns straight from the oven. Good body and mouth feel. Finish: medium, still rather on oranges, but with a little green pepper in the aftertaste. Comments: a very fine and very sippable Aberfeldy. In short, it’s very ‘Aberfeldy’. SGP:441 - 82 points.

Aberfeldy 1994/2015 ‘Banquet of Fruits’ (46%, Wemyss Malts, hogshead, 220 bottles)

Colour: straw. Nose: totally similar, just a little leafier yet, and with rather more Jerusalem artichokes. Various mashes and ales (something Belgian, in other words), barnyard, and wild yellow peaches. Rather dry peaches. Mouth: ah excellent! Honeydew and rather lemons and tangerines this time, bags of quince jelly, and a growing honeyness. Perhaps heather and orange blossom. This is a lovely palate, even if it’s maybe not totally transcendental. Finish: medium, and a little more mineral. Apple compote mixed with bits of grapefruit. Comments: perhaps not exactly a nosing whisky, but the palate really delivers. SGP:541 - 84 points.

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