Whisky
Aberlour Distillery
Aberlour 15 Year Old Sherry Finish
Single Highland Malt; matured for a minimum of 15 years in a
combination of sherry and bourbon oak casks then finished in new
oloroso sherry casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet, not really fruity sweet, but kind of floral sweet. There is a strange plastic-like undertone. I’m not sure but I think it’s the sour mash flavor from the bourbon casks.
Beginning: Buttery, definitely buttery and creamy, a light toffee flavor.
Finish: Spicey, a bit smokey. It has a real long finish. Five minutes after my last pull and I can still taste a smokey peat flavor.
Comment: Worth the $55. Whisky magazine gave this one their “silver recommended” award. An 8.5 from Micheal Jackson, a 9 from Doug McIvor. I don’t know that is stands out so much, but a nice strong single malt.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mellow smokey sweetness, a bit of brine.
Beginning:Musty, and earthy. More of the mild smoked flavor with a bit more salt in the back.
Finish:The finish is relatively quick marked with peat smoke flavor.
Comment:Certainly worth the $45. This was my first go at the 12 year. I’ve had the 15 year, but never noted it. This one has me excited to go back to try and write up the 15 year. Whisky magazine gave this their “silver recommended†award. An 8.5 from Micheal Jackson and Dave Broom.
Auchentoshan Distillery
Auchentoshan 3 wood
Lowland Single Malt; matured first in American bourbon casks, then Spanish oloroso, and lastly pedro ximinez casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mild fruity sweetness with a bit of citrus, hint of cream.
Beginning:Mildly creamy, very complicated flavor, tannic, sweet, very smooth.
Finish: Quick end, smooth/buttery, more of the tannins.
Comment: Very much worth the ~$55. Interestingly, the Auchentoshan distillery is part of the same holding as the Bowmore distillery; the Morrison Bowmore Distillers LTD. They also have whisky under the Glen Garioch name, a highland single malt. If they are anything like the offerings from Auchentoshan and Bowmore I’ll be pleased. Whisky magazine gave this their “silver recommended”.
Balvenie Distillery
The Balvenie 10 Year, Founder’s Reserve
Single Malt; a marriage of The Balvenie matured in American bourbon casks with that matured in Spanish sherry casks, or butts.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mildly sweet, some citrus with a bit of peat smoke.
Beginning: Starts sweet and full, spicy with more smoke, hint of citrus.
Finish: Very long finish, rich and spicy, made my tongue burn a bit.
Comment: I’m still not sure if The Balvenie 10 is quite worth the ~$50. It’s certainly good, but maybe a bit expensive for my taste. It’s been awarded Whisky Magazine’s “silver recommend”.
