Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured

Sweet, dark fruits, easy, full, tasty. Not exciting and kinda meh.

Overall this is probably closer to a 3.5 (man I wish this was a 10-point rating scale). The 16 is very light on the palate, even for the proof. Fruit is the name of the game in this sherry-forward whisky, with cherries, plums, syrupy sweetness, apple pie and raisins. Fairly short finish. Overall I appreciate the craftsmanship, though I must prefer higher proof and smokier whiskies. This is subtle throughout and there is a lot of depth in the flavor profile, when you take some time sipping the dram. But it is without that aggressive edge that I crave in most whisky. Still, this is a great starter for someone who is interested in trying scotch with greater depth and doesn't want the aggressiveness of a peated malt.

Non peaty, a good fruity smooth, hint of burn

The drop from 43% to 40% abv should have been all the warning I needed. Wow, what a disappointing dram! Incredibly light on the palate (like fruit punch) with little left to taste on the watery, slightly cinnamon-heavy finish. The nose is like a cherry starburst candy, if you’re into that sort of thing. The full flavor and richer spice notes you’d expect from a 16 year old sherry-matured malt are just painfully muted throughout this stuff. If I wanted a glass of rose I would have poured a glass of rose. Im going to let it oxidize for a month or two, but right now give me a Glendronach 12 or, hell, even the Dalmore 12 over this bottle any day. And the $70 price point? Hard pass. 2/5