Aberlour is mostly associated with Big Badass sherry bombs, with a nice lineup of sherry influenced whiskies, at the top of which (not quality per se, but for sheer power and sherry prowess) sits the Abunadh NAS , loved by many, but probably quite young (not a bad thing, just a fact). I was quite happy to be able to try an older version of such a big bold sherry dram, from Aberlour, which is just out as an Exclusive release especially bottled by the distillery for The Whisky Exchange. Cask #4738 is was first-fill sherry cask, where whisky sat for 16 years, bottled at Cask strength of 53.5%.
Aberlour 16 Cask #4738 TWE Exclusive , 53.5% abv, £99.95
Nose: Oh yes, this is just what I expected it to be : rich thick sherry. Xmas cake, raisins , sticky pudding , plums and candied orange peel, dates and leather. Holy moly. This is lovely big sherry, but very clean also. No rubber, no off notes, no Sulfur. Clean, sweet and brilliant.
Palate: Initial heat on entry then lovely rich sweet and spicy notes. Cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg with the dried fruit, a wee butter note and chocolate too, ripe orchard fruit, and licorice, date spread and hints tobacco, then the cinnamon makes a comeback, it’s very very good stuff.
Finish : Sweet, spicy , leather and apricot with raisin date and ginger candy.
This is a cracking drop of drammage. No doubt, the right amount of everything, with the big bold sherry , spices, all so clean, and well integrated, It’s really hard to not want another wee dram of that stuff. I’ve not been drinking a lot of Big sherry lately, but this is something I can enjoy quite often. Great choice of cask, and really a few notches higher than your average Abunadh. I think I’m in love. If you’re a sherry fan, my advice is buy this quick. It’s not going to last long, and It’s well worth it IMHO. Superb. This is how Big Sherry cask whisky, first fill should be like. period.
OK, you persuaded me, I bought a bottle. £100 ain’t cheap, so I hope it’s as great as you say. 91 points, it’s got to be worth a try.
Hope your like it. As much as I did
This sounds like it was made for me. Can’t wait to compare it to my favorite a’bunadh, and to Glenfarclas 15. This is going to be my Birthday malt. 🙂
Glad to see you’re keeping up the good work here, Gal!
Cheers,
Jeff (Scotch Hobbyist)
Hey Jeff!
So good to hear from you. Hope you’re well and enjoying good whisky.
This Is indeed your dram. Looking fwd to your comparison.
Gal