Origin: Spesyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 54%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon Hogshead Refill and ex-Madeira Wine
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Dram Mor Group
Average price: € 75.00
Official website: drammorgroup.com
Vote: 84/100
We are again in the Speyside with the Autumn bottling of the independent Dràm Mòr, this time in Aberlour, a distillery that in the special editions garners the most acclaim among enthusiasts.
If in the distillery’s editions the whisky is almost always the result of a marriage between ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, here we find a variation on the theme, aligned with this latest collection from Dràm Mòr. In fact, this is a distillate that, after spending seven years and six months in an ex-Bourbon cask, was aged for a further four months in a ex-Madeira cask, the Portuguese red wine.
Obviously cask strength and single barrel.
Tasting notes
Gold with copper reflections in the glass.
A winey opening, as expected, with plenty of red fruits (strawberries, raspberries), ripe plums and heather, but the Bourbon doesn’t sit still and extracts lively aromas of vanilla, honey and lemon. Pinch of ginger, cereals and cooked apples. Young and fresh.
Warm and spicy in the mouth, with an almost mulled wine note (hence red wine, cloves, sugar) on an intense fruity body (peaches, ripe pears, plums), accompanied by custard, honey, lemon drop. The influence of the wine is quite strong, but still manages to marry with the rest of the aromas while forcing them to act as an accompaniment. Slight sulphurous background note.
The finish is quite long and warm, with cream, spices and light wood.
Between its youth and the strong presence of the wine, the result could have been a messy, disorganised whisky… but no! The Madeira keeps right on the edge, enough to dominate but without covering everything, managing to bring out a balance that is certainly not complex but enjoyable. This is also where the skill lies.
Reviews of Aberlour whiskies in the blog:
Aberlour 10yo
Aberlour 12yo
Aberlour 16yo Hand Filled Batch A15
Aberlour 18yo
Aberlour A’bunadh Batch 60
Aberlour Casg Annamh Batch 1 and 4