
December 1, 2021

A wee pair of Aberfeldy

You know, Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, that's near the Black Watch Memorial and close to Castle Menzies, Edradynate and Bolfracks. Got to love the names they have over there…

Aberfeldy 16 yo (40%, OB, +/-2021)

Aberfeldy 16 had been a little lightish last time we tried it but that was in 2015. A shame that they keep those stingy 40% vol. though, that's not very premium is it… Colour: gold. Nose: indeed, a fairly lighter malt-driven whisky, with some hay and some beers, scones, shortbread, tea and butterscotch. Good five o'clock whisky, it seems… Mouth: more watts, more oomph would be needed indeed. This is flattish, drying, rather deceptive, tea-ish, and frankly, it seems that I was in a good mood back in 2015 (WF 82). That or they changed the recipe. Finish: shortish, drying. A little cardboard, gunpowder tea, perhaps a touch of butter too. A wee feintness in the aftertaste. Comments: a little fleshless, I would say. Skinny. The backbone's okay though.
SGP:341 - 76 points.

Aberfeldy 15 yo 2005/2021 (55.3%, Quaich Bar Singapore, hogshead, 165 bottles)

From a series selected by no one else than Frank McHardy! Which would make this wee 'feldy the equivalent to a new guitar selected by Jimmy Page, right. Colour: light gold. Nose: same as the official 16, only with much more power of course, but not only that, also more barley, malt, grist, oils, breads, doughs and cakes. Pure barleyness, enough said. With water: much more grass, gooseberries, a lot of porridge, sour beers, white beers… Mouth (neat): total barleyganza, hot, punchy, with some tarte tatin, beers, bitter herbs and, well, more bitter herbs. Not easy-easy but this one's got some statement to make. Like, 'barley and basta'. With water: much sweeter, easier, fruitier, on apples and pears, plus gooseberries and various plums. Finish: long and a little grassier again. Comments: rather a wrestler, malt whisky al natural, undisguised, for your favourite hipflask. Kills the OB.
SGP:461 - 85 points.

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