Down to the last half dozen bonus samples of the final round of the SDT and I am most excited about them. The beginning of the end comes in the form of this 18 year old single malt scotch from Aberlour. I’ve actually owned this bottle for nearly 2 years and never got around to opening it, so I’m glad that it was provided to me in sample form. Bottled at 43% ABV and is chill filtered with colorant added making it a dark amber color. The nose opens with soft sherry, soft but rich. Orange marmalade, raisins and vanilla. Black cherries, worn oak, distant tobacco notes and some maple. Watered down grape juice, cinnamon, cocoa powder and powdered ginger. A touch floral as well. Not as full as I had hoped, but it’s definitely mature. The nose belies a spicy palate. Baking spices, not so much a peppery spice, mostly in the nutmeg and ginger arena. Molasses, tobacco and dark sherry. Thick, almost burnt caramel, Worthers toffee. This is similar in style to the Blair Athol 12, but better in quality and maturity. A medium bodied mouthfeel that is lightly oily and mouthwatering. The finish is medium short, sherry, orange pith and tobacco. I tried. I tried really hard to love this one, but it just didn’t do it for me. Never let it be said that I have called Aberlour 18 a bad dram, because it’s far from that...it just didn’t wow me. The quality is there, it’s just missing something. Something is needed to push it from good to great. Perhaps a higher percentage of first fill sherry casks, higher ABV, something. As it sits, I’m going with a 3.75, but an argument could be made for a 4. Thanks to @Scott_E for the sample. Cheers