Aberlour 10yo (43%, OB, +/-2008)

Please note that in higher tax markets such as the UK and some parts of Europe that the 10yo standard bottling is normally available at 40% ABV while the North American bottling is available at 43% ABV, a difference of +/-7%.

The nose is clean with fruit, vanilla, caramel and a significant amount of oak notes in the form of alcohol infused cold tea and apricot. A little hand warming brings out more of the same however intensified with the addition of a little citrus and malt. After some time in the glass it opens up to reveal some increased sweetness. The taste is malty backed by bourbon notes, some sherry sweetness along with some raw tobacco and leather. Despite the 43% it is not an aggressive mouth feel and the spicy wood notes grow in complexity. It’s very tasty whisky! The finish is long with bitter dark chocolate, the oak spiciness and is quite dry and is, like the taste, quite complex. After a number of minutes there is still some chewy malt present…

A cracker of a malt with lots going on and a good value as well.

$49

Score 86 Points

Aberlour 10yo (43%, OB, ‘Sherry Cask Finish’, +/-2008)

An unusual departure for the Aberlour distillery in that their 10yo has been finished in a sherry cask(s) for an undisclosed period of time. And a bit of a secret itself since it’s only available in France, the Whisky Exchange in London and rumored to also be available at the distillery. The core range for Aberlour features the 10yo, 10yo Sherry Cask Finish, the 12yo Double Cask Matured, the 16yo Double Cask Matured and the 18yo.

The nose is rich and creamy along with some good fruit in the form of light Christmas cake, warm banana (hints of), pear and then hints of heather. There is some added complexity over the standard 10yo (which is hardly a shock, finishing is done for extra complexity). The taste is richer in the mouth and smoother than the standard 10yo and the turbo fruit boost from the sherry casks is a nice addition. The pears really jump out and the raw tobacco and leather are muted below the sherry. There is also some really good malt lurking in there. Nice. The finish is much like the standard 10yo and is quite dry however this does not last very long as the fruit takes over and offers a calming influence. The finish is quite long and fragrant but the malt has been slightly muted as compared to the standard 10yo, more fruit however.

Another excellent single malt from Aberlour; perhaps we’ll this version more widely available. But for pities sake keep the 43%!

£49

Score 88 points

It's the two bottles on the LEFT! <---- <-----

No! It's the TWO on the left!!!