Aberlour 17 yo Crafted Small Batch N°1.2

 

 

 

58,8°

Distillery : Aberlour - Speyside

57,4% European Oak Casks, 42,6% American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

A year ago, the distillery launched this bottling, the result of a blend between European oak casks, probably Sherry, and American oak casks, probably Bourbon. One website claims that this is a very limited edition of 432 bottles, but this seems strange to me, as several casks were used, unless they were very small casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, it's very mellow, brioche, cake dough, then honeyed, acacia honey, pine needles, dry earth, dried prunes, dates, figs, bananas and grapefruit, a dash of vanilla and a zest of lemon. On the palate, the fruit is a little more present and unctuous, but there's also the harshness of wood bark, resin, maple syrup, blood oranges, medlars and slightly mealy apricots. Intense spices, cumin, cloves. Long, fairly explosive finish, liquorice, very spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple juice.

 

In Short, 

A very solid Aberlour, in keeping with its reputation, with lots of fruit and velvet. The wood influence is intense, which makes me think that the casks must indeed have been small. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the profile, although it's expensive for what it is.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Salin - Painted Lady