I've been working on this bottle of Aberlour 16 for a while now, enjoying a sip every now and then. This has become a nightcap favorite, a scotch I'll pour to sit and watch TV or read. A recent purchase of a bottle of Kirkland 17 Year Speyside prompted me to add this re-review as part of my side-by-side comparison. This whisky was enjoyed neat from a NEAT tasting glass On the nose the Aberlour is a bit mustier with an earthier note of clay, ripe orchard fruit, figs and vanilla bean than the soft and even more delicate Kirkland. Both are nearly devoid of ethanol and represent the complex and approachable personality of a good Speyside single malt well. On the palate the Kirkland is drier than the nose suggests, but far from dry. Nice integration of sherry fruits, brandied cherry, ripe apples rides on a wave of breakfast cereal. The Aberlour is drier still, richer and earthier with notes of dark chocolate. If I may apply a metaphor, the Kirkland is between the stacks of the public library and the Aberlour is in the leather seating of a private library. Very much similar, yet meaningfully different experiences. The Aberlour 16 is suave, sophisticated, subdued and multidimensional. It delivers a melange of fruitcake, baker's chocolate and wet cereal grains in a very cohesive and enjoyable package. Aberlour 16 is an excellent scotch whisky, even if its near $100 price point doesn't make it a bargain. It's worth its price.