Aultmore 2000 - Bottled 2014 Connoisseurs Choice

Aultmore is one of those lesser known Speysiders that sends most of its production to the blended Scotch market, in this case most notably to the Dewar folks. It has a reputation as being an oaky whisky; it lived up to its billing.

Color: Pale Gold/Primrose ("Natural Colour")

Nose: Perfumed and estery with a fruity backbone (mixed berries); grassy notes develop with time as does an emerging oak presence.

Palate: The full on barley surge was unexpected from such a light dram. Mid-palate there is a nice interplay between light syrup and buzzing spices before quickly drying and giving way to the arrival of bittering oak.

Finish: Dry with oak bitterness the major player. Note: a bit of water helps tone down the oak.

Normally I don't have a problem with a big oak presence in most malts; it just seems that the lightness of this malt is simply overwhelmed. Still, the barley opening is very enjoyable.

Find where to buy Aultmore whisky