Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured

My overall impression is that it isn’t bad, but it’s sort of underwhelming for a 16-year old. The nose is fairly unimpressive – you get more alcohol than anything else, but you do get some nuttiness. You definitely sense both casks, the bourbon cask is lighter and helps give some peanut an walnut flavors, while the sherry adds some more body and dried cherry and apple flavors. But instead of adding complexity, in this case it sort of mutes all the flavors and makes it less rich. Overall, it has some good flavors, but isn’t as smooth, rich, and full as I’d hope from the age. This does improve a bit after it gets lots of air.

Despite what it says on Distiller, Aberlour is very much a Speyside rather than a Highland whisky! Upfront you get a hit of the bourbon and sherry, but I couldn't describe this as a sherry bomb. There's a depth and complexity that is not there in many typical Speyside sherry bombs. On the palate, there is a light and spicy fruitiness (think raisins and currants, possibly plums). As it develops on the palate, there's a subtle oak and vanilla that is pleasantly sour on the aftertaste. The finish is very long, where the oak just sits and warms the mouth. There's more of the spice and a subtle sweetness that doesn't allow any sourness to develop substantially. There is a little citrus at the very end that leaves a very pleasant note. Overall, this is a very lovely Speyside dram.