Just a quick post this evening to summarise the three Aberfeldy whiskies we tried as part of the #HomeOfDewars tweet tasting organised by Steve Rush @TheWhiskyWire... my thanks to Steve and to Aberfeldy for allowing me the pleasure of trying whiskies from a new distillery for me!
"Aberfeldy is sited on the River Tay in the Central Highlands of Scotland, a stone’s throw from the birthplace of its founder & pioneer of blending, John Dewar. With land acquired from the Marquis of Breadalbane & architecture designed by Charles Doig, the distillery rose up to begin production in 1898. Today, the distillery still uses the same time-honoured techniques, including long fermentation which helps conjure up the signature honeyed notes of its whiskies"
Aberfeldy - 12 years old - 40% ~£30
"Produced using whiskies that have been matured in refill bourbon barrels, rejuvenated casks & ex sherry butts. All of which are then meticulously blended together by Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod."
Nose
Fresh floral tones cut grass & cereal notes coming through initially. Sweet clear honey notes after time, some juicy pineapple too.
Palate
Malty, cereal notes, some creaminess and more honeyed sweetness… some spice eventually though. Think creamy, sweet porridge with a touch of all spice stirred through.
Finish
Drying, vanilla wood notes. Not too long but tasty and enjoyable.
Aberfeldy - Single Cask 2001 #21444 - 55.5% ~£100
"A distillery exclusive where you can fill your own bottle directly from the cask."
Nose
Noticeably richer than the 12. Darker, thicker honey (orange blossom?) Pear drops, some spicy woody notes. Something herbal… parsley??
Ripe fruits evident after time, esp peaches & sweet apple, even a little leathery mustiness. Complex & evolving
Palate
Milk chocolate, crystalised ginger, a little salinity followed by waves of ripe tropical fruits.
With water, more oaky vanilla notes evident with stewed plums too
Finish
Good, warm salted caramel sweetness there, then some of the nuttiness people got in the nose is evident on the finish in the form of dry coconut shavings. Keeps on drying.
Aberfeldy - Single Cask 1999 # 5 - 56.5% ~£150
"Another distillery exclusive. Distilled in 1999 & matured in an Oloroso Sherry butt. Winner of the 2017 Scottish Field Summer Whisky Challenge, which went on to win Silver overall in its category in the Grand Final."
Nose
This smells aged! Very rich, oppulent nose. Orange oil, brandy notes. Also rich, fruity unbaked xmas cake mix. This is a lovely, evolving nose. Dusty books, furniture wax, damp tobacco… old rich smells.
Palate
Warm soft gingerbread, rich dried fruits that have been soaked in sherry & rum. Treacle, Brazil nuts… this is properly lush!
With water you get brandy snaps.
Finish
Really long finish getting loads of tannins & a thick grapey coating in my mouth. With a fading chocolatey "uber-finish"! Well done @DewarsAberfeldy well done!!
I really enjoyed the Single Cask 1999 #5... it really was a lovely, complex, delicious whisky. Worth planning a trip to the distillery for that bottle alone! The 12 year old is a really good, easy drinking whisky that at £30 a bottle is exceptional value for money.