Aberlour 18 Year Double Sherry Cask Finish

Review #059 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 18 years, matured in American and European oak, finished in 1st-fill PX and Olorosso sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Brown sherry color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are very slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Dark chocolate stands out most. I also get notes of licorice, raisins, and coffee. Palate: 33/40 The mouthfeel is a little watery. Bitter and spicy oak tannins lead, accompanied by black pepper, well done toast, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. The flavor of toast persists, gradually it turns more into a buttered burnt toast, before ending on mild nutty and milk chocolate notes. With Water: On the nose, I get the addition of the missing stone fruit, with plumbs and cherries making an appearance. Unfortunately the addition of water doesn’t do any favors to the palate and finish, they remain largely unchanged. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: I think my favorite part of this whisky is the color, and I just wish I knew if it’s natural. The sherry cask influence here is interesting, I was expecting more sweetness and stone fruit influence I suppose. Instead I was surprised by how the oak cask dominated the flavor profile, in a blind tasting I likely would have guessed this to be an older whisky based on how much this stood out. It’s a shame they diluted it to 43%, I feel like at 46-48% it would be a remarkable whisky with a very interesting flavor profile. Instead it’s a nice easy drinker, but for the price I’ve seen it retail for I’m not sure I’d buy a bottle of it. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Very fruity Sherry Dry