The new 15 Years Old is finished for four to five months using red wine casks from Pomerol, Bordeaux, after an initial 15 years in a combination of Bourbon re-fill and re-char casks.
Aberfeldy malt master Stephanie MacLeod said the whisky was 'carefully monitored' during maturation and flavour development, until the desired flavours were achieved. Thus, ensuring that the wood 'complemented and elevated' Aberfeldy’s distillery character, rather than masking it.
She added that wines from Pomerol were powerful and robust; as the casks impart 'ripe fruit notes' to Aberfeldy’s signature character, complementing the distillery’s honeyed notes and adding a further layer of flavour complexity.
Pomerol is the smallest of all the major Bordeaux wine producing appellations and home to some of the most expensive, sought-after wines in the world. The best vineyards are planted on a seam of blue clay which extends across the raised plateau of Pomerol itself and it is the only wine producing region in the world with a large concentration of this clay in its soils. The wine is known for being refined yet intense, with sensual notes of violet, red berries, truffles, and game.
TASTING NOTES
By Christopher Coates
ABERFELDY
15 Years Old
John Dewar & Sons
ABV: 43%
Bottling: Distillery
Style: Single Malt
Region: Highland
Price: £55
Availability: Specialists, Worldwide
Nose: A honey and orange toddy, with an underlying note of aloe and blackcurrant cordial. An earthiness lingers in the wings.
Palate: Delicate, with coconut cream, blossom honey and pear. A gentle touch of tannin to balance the sweetness. As it develops there's a suggestion of burned butter, with growing oxidised nuttiness.
Finish: Medium, lingering on the nutty notes, before lifting to a fresh green note. Perhaps cucumber.
Comment: Lovely to see a finish executed with a light hand. This new cask type compliments the Aberfeldy style well and flavours are very well balanced.
Score: N/A*
*Sample not tasted blind.
Aberfeldy malt master Stephanie MacLeod said the whisky was 'carefully monitored' during maturation and flavour development, until the desired flavours were achieved. Thus, ensuring that the wood 'complemented and elevated' Aberfeldy’s distillery character, rather than masking it.
She added that wines from Pomerol were powerful and robust; as the casks impart 'ripe fruit notes' to Aberfeldy’s signature character, complementing the distillery’s honeyed notes and adding a further layer of flavour complexity.
Pomerol is the smallest of all the major Bordeaux wine producing appellations and home to some of the most expensive, sought-after wines in the world. The best vineyards are planted on a seam of blue clay which extends across the raised plateau of Pomerol itself and it is the only wine producing region in the world with a large concentration of this clay in its soils. The wine is known for being refined yet intense, with sensual notes of violet, red berries, truffles, and game.
TASTING NOTES
By Christopher Coates
ABERFELDY
15 Years Old
John Dewar & Sons
ABV: 43%
Bottling: Distillery
Style: Single Malt
Region: Highland
Price: £55
Availability: Specialists, Worldwide
Nose: A honey and orange toddy, with an underlying note of aloe and blackcurrant cordial. An earthiness lingers in the wings.
Palate: Delicate, with coconut cream, blossom honey and pear. A gentle touch of tannin to balance the sweetness. As it develops there's a suggestion of burned butter, with growing oxidised nuttiness.
Finish: Medium, lingering on the nutty notes, before lifting to a fresh green note. Perhaps cucumber.
Comment: Lovely to see a finish executed with a light hand. This new cask type compliments the Aberfeldy style well and flavours are very well balanced.
Score: N/A*
*Sample not tasted blind.
