K&L Exclusive Cask: A 15-Year-Old Stunner from Aberlour – Scotch Whisky News
($89.99)
*Pre-arrival item expected to be available for shipment or pickup in summer 2022.
K&L Notes: For years, we never saw Aberlour bottled by independents. Considering the current interest in the distillery, it doesn’t seem prudent for the current owners to be releasing stocks for others to bottle, but nevertheless we’ve seen three or four barrels of Aberlour pop up on the independent market over the last couple of years. One of the most interesting and exciting parts of enjoying independently bottled single malts is finding unique expressions of distilleries you know and love. Connecting the familiar with the idiosyncratic nature of each individual barrel is a wonderful sensory experience. The Aberlour distillery is simply one of Speyside’s finest. The character exemplifies the region in a way that few other distillers do, and while many associate it with big, bold sherry, its creamy, rich character and complex malt profile are on full display here. It’s an insightful and intriguing example that expands our understand of the distillery’s profile. But best of all it just really tastes great. That said, please do add some water, as it’s simply a shadow of itself without it.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 13, 2021
One of my favorite aspects of independent casks is that you get a chance to see a distillery’s character unvarnished by the master blender’s hand. Any one cask may seem an oddity, but as part of a complete understanding of any distillery, the insights they yield are invaluable. While A’bunadh put Aberlour on the map as a sherry-wielding powerhouse, and in recent years Alba has showcased the beauty of American oak hung on Aberlour’s frame, it is often in a refill hogshead at a respectable age that the character of the malt itself is best revealed. Straight away there is abundant fruit on the nose, a touch of fresh cream, and a little bit of sweet milk chocolate. The palate is rich and sweet in its own right, even at its big 63.5% ABV. With water, everything changes. The general fruitiness breaks apart into clear and pronounced ripe beauties ranging from snow peaches to bursting nectarines, golden apples, and even blackberry. The cream and milk chocolate seem to shift into more of a chocolate pudding situation as you get to the mid-palate. While it’s easy to call Aberlour a big, bold spirit, that’s often confusing it with the heavy sherry influence of A’bunadh. In reality, this cask of whisky shows more of a Sugar Ray Robinson kind of power and versatility. The finish ties a nice bow on the whole package with a bit of spice, a very easy-going savory note, and a reprise of all that sweet fruit.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: September 10, 2021
This pretty little Aberlour is starting to offer some excellent complexity even in this relatively youthful and naked style. We all know Aberlour can be excellent, but there’s so little experience with it not totally overshadowed by sherry or even fresh bourbon casks. While it might not be the big punch in the gut the A’bunadh provides, we’re definitely starting to tease out some gorgeous distillery character at this fine age. Please note that the ABV is quite high, and this whisky is but a whisper of its true self without at least a few drops of water. The color is pale gold. The nose has yellow flowers and ripe pear, a bit of fresh hay, and a tiny dusting of cocoa. Add water and a bit of air and the complexity improves significantly, moving toward greengage, mirabelle, hints of fresh hessian, and clean pulverized limestone. On the palate, it’s much more supple and round with water. Sweet barley tea, fresh biscuits, Bartlett pear, a slight gravelly quality, and a lovely peppery spice on the finish. Not as tropical and fudgey as the one we sold last year, but so vibrant and alive. Please, please, please skip this one if you’re against adding water.
