Tasting Notes
ABV
59.8%
Region
Speyside
Bottling
whic (Whiskycircle)
Cask type
Ex-Bourbon Hogshead (122 btl.)
Nose
Clean and fresh on the nose with delicate notes of yellow fruits - peaches, apricots, pineapple and subtle ripe apples. Flavours of vanilla and honey with tender lemon curd and a hint of mint arrive, followed by a slightly floral note. The high alcohol content is noticeable but not pungent at all.
Palate
Bold, rich and sweet on the palate with lots of peaches, apricots, mango and pineapple. Very exotic. This is complemented by a warming spiciness of white pepper, oak and candied ginger, support by an alcoholic bite. Becomes drier with a touch of espresso notes, tobacco leaves and a not unpleasant hint of damped wood towards the finish. Significantly more spice with a second sip.
Finish
The finish is long, lingering sweet and fruity. Notes of malted barley with acacia honey, spiced oak and a touch of bitter orange on the tail.
With water
There's more yellow fruit coming through with a splash of water, supported by oak spice and white pepper. Creamy even oily on the palate with lots of fruit, nicely balanced with oak, ginger and pepper. The alcohol is significantly tamed. The finish is medium to long with creamy notes of vanilla and honey, followed by dry oak and hints of tobacco leaves.
Comments
This new expression from Whic is a completely different Aberlour. Not, as is usually the case, matured or finished in sherry casks, but this time from a pure ex-Bourbon hogshead. And this is reflected in a wonderfully exotic fruit composition that is in good balance with spices, oak flavours and even some tobacco notes. The high alcohol content is of course noticeable, but with a few drops of water, this 21 year old Aberlour becomes a creamy oily fruit treat. Truly a summer whisky.
I thank Leonie and Arne from whic (Whiskycircle) for the complimentary sample and the image!