Aberfeldy | 21 years old Malbec Cask Finish
The Highland distillery of Aberfeldy near Pitlochry always seems to quietly go about its business. But every so often it releases a stunning small batch whisky that captures the attention and the tastebuds. The Wine Cask Collection sees one such annual release with the 2024 edition showing part maturation in ex-Malbec red wine barrels sourced from Finca Ambrosia, an organic winery located in Mendoza, Argentina.
Tasting notes:
The nose is sweet and aromatic with fresh apricot, caramel and candied orange. The palate is rich and malty with notes of raisin, sultana and tropical fruit adding to the caramel, apricot and citrus. Dusty oak spices, clove and white pepper develop towards a drying finish that shows delicious wood tannins.
Ardnahoe | Inaugural Release 5 years old
This appeared in the Scotch whiskies list of the recent blog about the Fèis Ìle festival on the famous whisky island of Islay. But it is worth a double mention as it is not often that a new whisky from a new distillery hits the mark so well. Ardnahoe began production in 2018 and is situated on the rugged northwestern coast of Islay. It makes a spirit in the mid-range peated style and this first offering shows much promise.
Tasting notes:
The nose is smoky and sweet, while the whisky is silky and velvety on the palate. Dying bonfire embers, damp moss and ashy notes mingle with baked apple, sultana and golden syrup. Warming spices, such as cinnamon and ginger, underpin everything. A delicious and peaty dram.
Bruichladdich | 30 years old
Scotch whiskies of this sort of age do not appear often, let alone from somewhere such as Bruichladdich. The Islay distillery saw sporadic production during tough times in the early 1990s before closing in 1994. It did not reopen until 2001. This bottling represents one of the oldest ever released by the brand and has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels for the full three decades. A whisky that offers a snapshot of a different era.
Tasting notes:
Dusty and spicy aromas dominate the nose, and the whisky feels luxurious and opulent on the palate. Vanilla fudge, butterscotch and milk chocolate notes combine superbly with malted cereals, apricot jam and old leather. Cinnamon, gingerbread and clove sit in the background, as does a hint of dried pineapple.
