Aberlour 21 Years Old

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 6 by Michael Jackson and Jim Murray.

Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes.

• Issue 6 online • Buy issue 6 (£5.95)
• Subscribe to Whisky Magazine (from £28.38)
• Preview current issue (73) • Preview other issues online

Tasting Notes

Michael Jackson Nose Sherry, oak, polished leather. Palate Firm, smooth, lightly creamy. Packed with lively flavours: malt, cookies, fruit, mint. Finish Spicy, rooty, dry, very long. Comment Great to see this eleasing some really expressive bottlings.

Jim Murray Nose A first class aroma of honey and sliced almonds. Very sweet for the age with the oak being surprisingly subdued, perhaps by the delicate sherry/apricot fruitiness. Palate Much drier from the start with the oak steaming in. Fills out in mouth well, with an almost metallic hardness to the malt-honey sweetness, softened only by an oily tang. Finish Very hard and quite grainy with the malt lengthening out. Perhaps just slightly off key. Comment 11 years ago I tasted some 10 Years Old Aberlour and wasn't too impressed. It has matured through well but not all the kinks have been ironed out, especially towards the finish.