Aberlour Tasting - 19th July - 7pm

[Ganga]

We've bronzed Ian.

Ian, is there any difference in the batches between the US and Europe? (other than 50 ml)

[Willie JJ]

16 yo

Nose: now I'm getting that mintiness that folk are referring to. It's a menthol character that really sits beautifully with the citric notes. (slight eau-de-fly)

Palate: again with the marmalade, but a good dose of chocolate alongside the spicy wood this time.

Finish: the mint returns and gives a really fresh finish.

[mikeymad]

Good job Ian... on your bronze status. Well earned

Cheers,

[Ian Logan]

Ganga,

No, all samples are identical. There are no differences in any release between the US and Europe.

[Ganga]

Thanks Ian.

[Willie JJ]

Its amazing! I'm sure the wee bugger's swallowed half of it.

Oh yeah, it was the fly that emptied the glass

Better ring him out, Willie.

He died happy anyway.

Congratulations on your bronzeness Ian.

[Sherried Malt]

Ok, my last dram before I go out and meet some friends..

A'bunadh 17 (Thanks again, SoMK!!)

Nose: A much more reticent nose. Less toffee and a bit more vanilla? Some citrus too.

Palate: Very smooth and rounded, but perhaps my palate's been pre-conditioned by the others, but it seems to be lacking a certain something...

Finish: Less hot than what I've had today, but still needs some water I think. After a gulp of water, maybe not...

Bottom line for me: I'll take the 8 any day, but will go with the 14 if I have to...

[Ganga]

Water to batch 14.

Hmm, don't like water with this. Probably got just a touch too much water. It starts to bring in an oak element that I don't care for.

Still rates:

[Sherried Malt]

Ok, that's it for me for a while. Hope to see some of you nightbirds later tonight.

Have a great time everyone and thanks again Ian for joining us!

[Ian Logan]

SM,

Enjoy your evening out, thanks for dropping in.

[mikeymad]

Ok, that's it for me for a while. Hope to see some of you nightbirds later tonight.

Have a great time everyone and thanks again Ian for joining us!

Cheers SM... see you on later....

[Ras Mazunga]

See you later SM.

Tasting the 16 now and I'm pleasantly suprised nice sweet round full nose, less sherried but older, very nice.
Can't find info on the Aberlour site on this one. Is this beauriful whisky of the shelve before I even got one?

[Ganga]

Moving along to Batch 15, 59.6

N: cooking toffee, oranges, simmering pot with herbs
P: slight wineyness to the caramel, bit of nuts, herbs
F: moderate, herbal, bit astringent

time for a retry.

[Ras Mazunga]

Ian Logan call you maybe explain why there is no unsherried Aberlour original bottling?

[Ganga]

Astringent gone now. More lingering oranges and cinnamon for the palate.

[Dram fine idea]

Aberlour A'bunadh, batch 23, ABV 60.2%

Nose - Full on sherry, fruit cake, sultanas, mint
Taste - Woah. Sweet. Sultanas. A touch of oak to show some older elements. A touch nippy sweety (from the strength), black pepper, hold on to your hat, chair etc
Finish - Pepper, delicious, fading slowly, then a touch of cooling (thank you) mint at the end
Comment - Another excellent and consistent dram, this one grabs you and doesn't let go. Very deep. Yet another bottle for the list (I'd better make some room)

[Ganga]

@$@%^, poured way too much water.

Nose: straws and malt
Palate: muted

Maybe repour this one.

[Ian Logan]

Ras,

It was a concious decision when Pernod Ricard bought the distillery in 1975 to go down the line of using a higher than normal percentage os sherry matured casks.
It offers a more traditional taste with a sweeter and fuller taste than many of our neighbours. This choice has worked as Aberlour is now the biggest selling malt in France, the global n0.1 malt market.
Bourbon matured examples do exist but are more IB versions, we have a house character in what we produce and want to stay with that.

[Ganga]

A fair bit less water now.

Mellows the wine. Yep, I like this one with a touch of water.

Dare I say a hint on mint chocolate in the finish?

[Willie JJ]

Ok the 18 now. Fly swatter at the ready.

Wow, this smells sweeter, almost a winey nose. It's lighter and more subtle but its really nice. the notes of the previous drams are there but this time nothing is leaping out and grabbing me, its all really well balanced.

Palate: This is terrific. Huge spice, but its under total control. The delivery is sensational. I love this.

Finish: Well if I thought it had peaked I was wrong. The finish is truly wonderful, teasing the tastebuds for what seems like many minutes, reaching parts other drams don't reach.

I love it. I do agree with the suggestion of consistency of flavours throughout the range, but how they are delivered changes from dram to dram and this 18yo has to be tried to be believed. I haven't tried an Abunadh yet tonight, but I think I would buy the 18 first. Simply brilliant.

Thanks for the samples Ian.

[Willie JJ]

Bye SM maybe see you later.

[mikeymad]

Aberlour NAS (59.6%, Original Bottling, a'bunadh batch 15)

Glass: Glencairn
Nose: strong oranges and lemons of this for me, followed by malt and sweetness
Palate: big burst of sugared orange candy and nuts and caramel notes
Finish: spiced tea that lasts

[Willie JJ]

Note for the brits:

TWE has the 18yo for £49.99

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-7620.aspx

[Ganga]

Good night SM.

Moving along to Batch 16....

[Dram fine idea]

Cheers SM, have a good night.
Willie, I agree, the flavours are presently with a different emphasis from age to age. The 18 is a revelation. Batch 23 is brilliant too.

[Ian Logan]

Willie,

Thanks for posting that, I had a feeling it could be found in the UK, just not sure where.

[Ganga]

Batch 16, 59.6

N: spicey-wood, oranges, caramel, dried herbs
P: cinnamon caramel cooking on the stove, herbal
F: long, loads of cinnamon

[Willie JJ]

If you live anywhere near Huntly (as so many of us don't), then Single Malts Direct has it for £53.99, but you can save the post.

http://www.singlemaltsdirect.com/shop.php?action=full&id=1187

[lohssanami]

Great notes from you all. Sorry I can't join you, but I'm not feeling too well today. No whisky for me...at least not yet.

Have a great time with the tasting!

[Ras Mazunga]

Having the 18 too. Taste rum with tobacco in the back of the mouth.
Every sniff is getting better... much better.

[Ganga]

Water with the 16. Very nice. Exactly what it was before but much smoother across the palate.

Batch 16 used to be my least favorite but it's been open for awhile and really changed character.

Rating:

[mikeymad]

Thinking of opening a special... any thoughts???



Cheers,

[Ganga]

Great notes from you all. Sorry I can't join you, but I'm not feeling too well today. No whisky for me...at least not yet.

Have a great time with the tasting!

but Lohss, it's the water of life. Better than medicine.

[Willie JJ]

Now its A'bunadh time.

Steve you're right about #23. Much better than #22, but not quite as good as #20. #21 never seemed to reach our shores, but I have a sample here courtesy of Ryguy so here goes.

[Willie JJ]

Mikey that's a nice older one, but have you got a new equivalent for comparison?