Scotland, Speyside: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
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Aberlour

Distillery description Tasting notes

The distillery

Aberlour

For information about the distillery, please click on the photo.

 Aberlour: official bottlings
 

Aberlour

10 years

Age
10 years
Alcohol percentage
40,0 %
Bottler
Official
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
75/100
 
 

The 10 years old Aberlour is characterized by its old gold with copper glints colour.
The nose detects wet wood, sherry and some toffee and menthol hints.
The palate is relatively dry, but its sweetness evokes warm honey and spices.
The final is rather long and goes on to spices with a light bitterness.
A pleasant malt.

(La Maison du Whisky)

 Aberlour stays inescapable in the world of single malt. For lovers of Speyside, this bottle has a quite affordable price. Aberlour 10 yo stays a good reference. However, compared to other bottles from the same region, this bottling seems to be a little bit too weak.
70/100
A second tasting had completely other conclusions as result. Is it a question of mood or circumstances? Anyway, this bottle got a completely other rating the second time. From the very first nosing, this malt is developing very harmoniously and the taste in the mouth is very pleasant, even if some slightly acid touches are present. The final is very nice.
84/100
This bottle is a perfect illustration of the importance of the tasting conditions.... The third tasting conclude this whisky has a serious lack at complexity, on the nosing as at the palate level. The whisky is not bad, but it misses all of what makes a whisky a great whisky. A rather poor finish as well, and the quotation of the second tasting becomes incomprehensible...
70/100
The nose is clean, with some remote hints of smoke and a very slight touch of spices, but rather monotonous even if there are some fruity touches after a while. The palate is dry and the same monotony as at the nosing, with however some interesting slightly spiced note. A short finish, dry and a bit bitter, but interesting.
74/100
The nose is finely fruity and very expressive. Peach and melon notes share the attention with fresher ones, cut grass or citrus fruit (lemon) In the mouth, the impressions of the nose are not really present anymore. Fruits have disappeared and made room for a mix of malt and wood with a metallic touch. Interesting mouth, but nothing special. Nothing complex. The finish recalls the malty aspects and a kind of aftertaste recalling wet cardboard stays in the throat together with the metallic impression of the mouth.
74/100
Colour: Old gold
A relatively simple nose marked by sherry with some unpleasant tingling iat first. Fortunately this soon disappear.
Hints of nuts round out this first clip.
The mouth is very honest. The same relative simplicity as the nose, but pleasant notes of sherry, but not much else. The mouth is not unpleasant, but it is unfortunately a bit too monotonous.
The finish seems more complex than were the nose and mouth. It is long and hot, and a mixture of sherry aromas and a pleasant bitterness make ithis finish clearly better than the mouth.
76/100
 

Commentaire de

Tomy63

Peut-être le moins cher des single malts écossais, une excellente entrée en matière aux whiskys du Speyside. Couleur entre ambrée et vieil or, on sent d'entrée le sherry ainsi que la vanille. La bouche se développe sur du boisé, du malt et du sherry. Les fruits (agrumes) apparaissent ensuite. La finale est moyenne, chaude, sur le caramel et les épices.

77/100
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Aberlour

A'bunadh

Age
12 years
Alcohol percentage
59,6 %
Bottler
Official
Particularity
(No batch #)
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
84/100
 Aberlour A'Bunadh
 

A'Bunadh means "original" in gaelic.
Orange colour.
The powerful nose evokes sherry, full fragrances, slightly smoked, and recalls smells of red fruit, and has a fine sherry character.
The smooth palate is rich with menthol hints. The fruit taste is intense. Sweet in the palate, with chocolate and orange notes.
The sweet finish (nougat, praline) is spicy (ginger) and slightly smoked, with a honey aftertaste.

(La Maison du Whisky)

This powerful whisky, powerful because of his smell and his alcohol degree was one of the first cask strengths on the market. Sherry is immediately detected by the nose. The taste is very complex, and opens after having added some drops of water. Very impressive bottle with a rather long finish. A nice example of successful cask strength.
84/100
The nose is dominated by the sherry. The high degree of alcohol does not bother the tasting at all, and the taste is very pleasant and complex, mix of chocolate, malt, sherry on a citrus fruit background. The degree of alcohol enhances the powerful character of the taste. A lingering and pleasant finish, with some spicy hints remains in the palate for long minutes.
84/100
The sherry overruns the nose first, and the power of the whisky makes it slightly aggressive, creating a slight tingling sensation. In the mouth, this aggressiveness disappears, despite the high percentage of alcohol. Some drops of water are needed to appreciate all the nuances of this whisky. This drop of water also removes any tingling sensation while opening the flavours. The sherry is very present in the palate, together with some well marked fruit hints, and despite the alcohol, a sensation of freshness. The finish is lingering, with some touches of spices and a great sweetness, contrasting with the very first nosing.
84/100
An obsessive sherry presence at the firs nosing, with some hints of prune cake bring their contribution to the rather complex character of this whisky. The first impression in the palate recalls the high percentage of alcohol. However, it prolongs the nose without any aggressivity. Fine woody touches and fruity notes comolete the whole. The finish is rather long and warm, recalling the high percentage of alcohol, but at the same time, an impression of sweetness is very characteristic. A kind of magic contrast, you only encounter in the whisky world...
84/100
A nose clearly marked by sherry , but also notes of old mouldy leather and very interesting woody hints. Spices and some wet earth.
The mouth is marked by sherry and is rather complex. First rather dry, clearly woody but also rather smooth and fruity.
The finish is long and lingering, and a mix of fruit and sherry with a touch of bitterness remain for a while.
84/100
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Aberlour

Cuvee Marie d'Ecosse 15 years

Age
15 years
Alcohol percentage
43,0 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
Sherry & Bourbon
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
79/100
 Aberlour "Cuvée Marie d'Ecosse"
 

The colour is amber.
The malted nose is also marked by toffee and Black current.
The soft palate confirms the nose, with some liquorice hints.
The finish evokes spices (ginger)

(La maison du Whisky)

 This 15 years old whisky has been matured in sherry casks. The impression in the mouth is really very pleasant, without unnecessary embellishments, and without a great originality, but is a whisky with a good behaviour. A great bottling, and as far as I'm concerned, the best Aberlour.
84/100
The impression during the second tasting is that his whisky is rather good, however a great lack of complexity seems to characterize it. Even if this bottle can be considered as being a rather good one, the quotation from the first tasting does not seem to be justified. It remains however a good representative of the brand.
79/100
The nose is marked by malt. In the mouth too, malt is present with a very slight touch of citrus fruit and liquorice, followed by a quite long finish, with some remote hints of violet and again the presence of malt. Indeed, the first quotation seems quite exaggerated.
74/100
Quite a pleasant nose, with clear wax hints, covering the fruity character of this whisky. In the palate, an impression of malt, with some variations on hazelnut, but rathre plain. A average finish, exactly in the mood of the mouth. A good whisky, but without any surprise nor special depth.
74/100
Colour: Old gold
Nice nose especially marked by sherry with nice malty hints behind which smells of ripe fruit are trying to break through.
The palate is quite soft with subtle notes of nuts mixed with sherry and malt. Nothing extraordinary, but a mouth without blemish. Not very complex but pleasant.
The finish is longer than that foreshadowed the mouth. The nutty notes seem to take precedence over other flavours encountered in the palate.
80/100
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Aberlour

Double cask

Age
12 years
Alcohol percentage
43,0 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
Bourbon & Sherry
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
79/100
 Aberlour double cask 12 yo
 

Colour amber.
The nose reveals nutty fragrances, relatively fresh and sherry hints.
The palate is fresh, malted and sweet, and reveals some liquorice and anise hints, with a little blackberry aftertaste.
The finish is sweet, silky.

(la Maison du Whisky)

The sherry finish gives this exceptional malt a great sweetness, and a well marked character. A very good bottle from the Speyside area, do not miss it. The wonderful finish lets us enjoy for long more minutes from this malted and fresh hints.
84/100
At the second tasting, a kind of medicinal smell, ether mixed with sherry announced a special bottle... The palate is characterized by a rather pleasant and slightly acid, however very complex taste. The finish of average length, also slightly acid and fresh...
84/100
The nose is rather marked by sherry with some remote woody hints. A kind of complexity in the palate, mixing clear malty touches to slightly spicy notes with a hint of wood. A nice finish, smooth and here too this remote and slightly bitter woody hints are still there, like at nosing and tasting.
84/100
A very nice nose marked by sherry sweetness, some peppery notes and hints of plum jam. Quite a discrete smell of toffee and milk chocolate.
The mouth is slightly less exciting than the nose was, and a kind of acidity (not easy to describe) mixes with the sherry notes, breaking the nice announced balance. A lack at complexity, while the nose was very promising.
The finish is short and does not let a great memory behind, except that sweet alcohol hint after a few seconds.
79/100
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Aberlour

Double cask 16 years

Age
16 years
Alcohol percentage
43,0 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
Sherry
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
73/100
Aberlour double cask 16 yo
The nose is influenced by the malt, with however some fruity hints, recalling prunes or something like that. The palate, relatively deceiving, is very malty, with some sherry on the background. The whole is very sweet, and even a bit sickly sweet... The finish is short, and the whole makes this double cask deceiving, compared to the 12 years old version.
74/100
A rather fruity nose with discrete sherry aromas preceeds a quite pleasant but uncomplex mouth. A smooth fruitiness, pear aromas and slight liquorice hints. Some woody touches as well. The finish is longer than at the first tasting, and seems higher in alcohol than the palate was.
74/100
Quite a nice nose made of hazelnut hints, a bit of sherry with discrete hints of fruit and a touch of marshmallow.
In the palate, a kind of balance is quickly dominated by quite a strange bitterness developing soon on fruity notes (plum). Despite a probably relatively low percentage of alcohol, this whisky sometimes seems to be overwhelmed by alcohol. This impression fades fortunately soon away.
The finish is marked by nutty notes, but is far to be impressive.
74/100
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 Aberlour: independent bottlings

Aberlour

Whisky Galore 1989

Age
14 years
Alcohol percentage
40,0 %
Bottler
Duncan Taylor
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
79/100
 Aberlour Whisky Galore

 Tasting Notes:

Colour: Pale pale straw. Nose: Malty, spicy. Flavour: Slightly oaky, raisins & nuts. Finish: Lingering & full sweetness. Comments: Very complex!

(notes of the bottler)

A very good impression at the first nosing. The nose reveals a certain complexity, slightly acid (citrus fruit) on a malt background. The taste confirms the first impression. A finish of average length, rather sweet and pleasant. A very good bottle for a reasonable price.   
84/100
A rather complex nose, with some spicy malt hints on a citrus fruit (orange) background. In the palate, no aggressiveness at all, and still a sweet presence of slightly spiced malt, a touch of bitterness on the tongue and at the finish. The finish is sweet and not too long.
79/100
The nose seems a mix of malt and yeast. The latter is quite present. Remote hints of citrus fruit and a light bitterness.
In the mouth a strange but very pleasant mix of acid notes and a very discrete bitterness. Malty smoothness and nutty bitterness.
The finish is sweet and relatively long. Exactly prolonging the mouth, light bitterness and smoothness.
79/100
A subtle fruity nose with some remote hints of smoke.
The mouth is discrete and smooth with some slightly acid touches, but without any complexity. An impression of flat pear spirit.
The finish is probably the most interesting part of this whisky, even if it is rather short. The slightly acid fruit notes dominate this smooth finish.
74/100
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Aberlour

Scott's Selection 1989

Collection
Natural Cask Strength
Age
15 years
Alcohol percentage
53,8 %
Bottler
Scott's Selection
Dates
Distil: 1989 Bottling: 2005
Particularity
cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
79/100
Aberlour 1989 Scott's selection
The nose is marked by malt with some metallic impressions on the backgroune. The mouth is not really spectacular neither. Nice dram, no more. No complexity, no surprise but no flow netiher. The finish is slightly bitter, not too long and without special character.
79/100
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Aberlour

Gifted Stills 1998

Collection
Gifted Stills
Age
9 years
Alcohol percentage
43,0 %
Bottler
Jean Boyer
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
84/100
Aberlour Jean Boyer 1998
This is an amazing fruit basket on a layer of fresh cut grass. The nose is e real pleasure. Menthol notes and a touch of smoke.
In the palate, the same intense fruity impression, a touch of bitterness and the acidity of a green apple. A real fruit salad with nuts. Really a nice surprise.
The finish is long, fresh and as fruity as the mouth was.
I really recommend this whisky to all those who like to find fruit in their whisky. As this is not specially what I am looking for in a dram, I give only 18 points.
84/100
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Aberlour

Best casks of Scotland 1995

Age
No age statement
Alcohol percentage
43,0 %
Bottler
Jean Boyer
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
79/100
The nose reveals green apple smells. Nice freshness and discrete complexity.
The mouth too is influenced by green fruit fragrances, with however a greater smoothness than announced by the nose. It looks like the fruit having ripened in the meanwhile.
The finish is warm and rather long and a touch of bitterness comes in addition to the fruity smoothness.
79/100
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Aberlour: not in collection

Aberlour

A'Bunadh, batch 24

Age
No age statement
Alcohol percentage
60,2 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
Sherry Oloroso
Particularity
Non chillfiltered cask strength (Batch #24)
links & average quote
Forum 84/100
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Aberlour

A'Bunadh, batch 17

Age
No age statement
Alcohol percentage
60,2 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
Sherry Oloroso
Particularity
(Batcch #17)
links & average quote
79/100
Abbunad'h Aberlour

Comment by

Johannes Sauer

Colour.: Red Golden, Mahogany Nose.: Vanilla, liquorice and walnuts in a little strange but very interesting harmony, later delicate notes of crushed red pepper with cocoa appear. Palate: the 60,2% are rolling in with some heftiness, stingy coppery, metallic note add with the wood and sherry aromes. The malt cannot really get through successfully, so a impression of a soft disbalance leaves its marks. Finish: after a massive crescendo the malts finally beats through and dominates a long and warm finish. A strong bottle but the second dram is much more fulfilling.

79/100
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Aberlour

A'Bunadh, batch 20

Age
No age statement
Alcohol percentage
60,5 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
Sherry Oloroso
Particularity
Non chillfiltered cask strength (Batch #20)
links & average quote
90/100

Comment by

Henrik Johansson

Date of tasting: 31/10 2007 Apperance: A very deep copper with henna notes Nose: Fruity and winey notes. Plums and raisins, some rubber. The straight nose has astonishingly little prickle for being at 60% abv. Dryish wood and some fragrant fabric softener notes. Reduced to nosing strength it lends more fresh fruit, citric notes and just a hint of lavendar. Peppery and leafy with some toffee. Curiously cooling. While the straight nose was deeply sherried the reduced nose is very fresh, but over time it seems to want to return to it's sherried beginnings. Body: Quite heavy and oily. Palate: Lots of dried fruits carries over. Deep, sherried notes on an oily background. The reduced dram doesn't feel that astonishing but has lots of pleasant Speyside characteristics. It's ! a rich and sweet fruitcake with a pretty long finish which reveals some honey first, then some drying wood and ends with a prickling reminder of sherry. Luxurious.

90/100
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Aberlour

Gifted Stills 1998

Collection
Gifted Stills
Age
9 years
Alcohol percentage
43,0 %
Bottler
Jean Boyer
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
84/100
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Aberlour

10 years, Sherry cask finish

Age
10 years
Alcohol percentage
43 %
Bottler
Official
Cask
sherry finish
links & average quote
80/100
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Aberlour

A'Bunadh, batch 23

Age
No age statement
Alcohol percentage
60,2 %
Bottler
Official
links & average quote
Forum 88/100
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Aberlour

18 years

Age
18 years
Alcohol percentage
43 %
Bottler
Official
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
86/100
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