Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask
Fruit, Spice and Decadence
0 294
Review by @talexander
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- Nose24
- Taste24
- Finish23
- Balance23
- Overall94
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The Aberlour distillery is one of the most gorgeous sites in all of Speyside, with grey stone walls, bright red doors and trim, and a babbling brook running alongside it. I didn't get a chance to tour the distillery when I visited, but had the pleasure of dining there - Whisky Chef Martine Nouet did an incredible menu of dishes both cooked and paired with various Aberlour expressions. It was an incredible evening. I hope to tour the distillery on my next visit to Speyside (whenever that will be)...
This 16 Year Old is double cask matured, in ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks. The colour is a deep reddish gold. On the nose, we have dark fruits, oak, damp earth, soft spices, a hint of citrus - a bit like a whisky-soaked fruitcake. Quite floral as well, more so with water. This takes me back to the dunnage warehouses in Speyside - they all have that damp, soft fruity aroma where the casks are sleeping.
On the palate, lots of cherries, a little nutty, and more vanilla than on the nose. The vanilla becomes more prevalent with a drop of water. Very soft and fruity, but with a fair amount of spice as well. Extremely luxurious.
On the finish there is a late delivery of nutmeg and pepper throughout a long developing finish. This is an absolutely gorgeous dram, one of the best Speyside malts I have had. It is an excellent example of a very well-sherried whisky - I suspect it must have spent more time in sherry casks than in bourbon casks, as the vanilla only occasionally peeks out from beyond the dark fruits. Quite decadent and wonderful.
Some say that this is better than the 18. I haven't had the chance to try any of the two,but they sure are in my short list. Nice review!