Aberlour 6 YO That Boutique-y Whisky Company Batch 8

Aberlour produces one of my favourite expressions - A’Bunadh. This whisky helped me start my whisky journey back in 2011. I quickly snapped up all the OBs I could get. Luckily I didn’t open them all. I found the 18 lost its zip after 6 months, I tried the 16 from someone else and “meh”, and I divested myself of the 10 and 12 before more damage could be done. In the last few years I’ve learned to appreciate lower proof whiskies and I wonder if I would have enjoyed them more now.

So when I saw that it was included in a heavily discounted whisky advent calendar, it helped to solidify my decision to buy the set.

I’ve never tried such a young Aberlour, and there is no mention of the type of cask used.

This expression is reviewed in a Brilliant Highland Whisky Glass in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

---

I have to say that while I know that colour doesn’t matter, this is probably the palest single malt I have ever seen. It is almost colourless.

Nose: 12/25

Very weak nose. If I really dig my nose in I start getting some fruits but can’t quite make out what they are. It is spirity. There is a vegetal note, some sort of solvent? Very disappointing nose. Water brings out the nose a little. On the fence about whether that helps.

Taste:18/25

This is a rough whisky. It is sweet on the arrival, with a bitterness in the development. The flavours are overwhelmed by the bitterness and I can’t make them out. Water sweetens it a bit and tones down the bitterness. I get some vanillins. (19/25)

Finish: 14/25

Even more bitter. Water rescues it by shortening the finish and removing some bitterness. (17/25)

Balance: 12/25

I don’t even know what to say. Can it be balanced if there is nothing there?

Score: Neat - 56/100 With Water: 60/100

---

SO DISAPPOINTING Aberlour! So disappointing, Boutique-y Whisky company! On their website an earlier batch is 23 YO. They should have used that one.

It almost makes me wonder if by accident they bottled the cleaner that they flush through the system between bottling runs.

Ok, this is no Lambertus, but this is even worse than the fake A’Bunadh I was poured at a fancy establishment a few years ago.

I have to repeat myself - SO DISAPPOINTING!