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Dwelling
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| Hello, that is one in every of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
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February 12, 2025
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Somewhat trio of Aberfeldies
Aberfeldy is a kind of malt manufacturers that now put virtually their complete vary by varied finishings, following the widespread development. Nonetheless, remember that when sure manufacturers label a bottling as, for instance, ‘Madeira Cask’ or ‘Mizunara Oak’, it typically merely means ‘completed in mentioned cask’. However so far as I do know, Aberfeldy at all times specifies this on their labels—credit score to them for that.
(WF Archive, 2016)
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Aberfeldy 12 yo ‘Madeira Cask End’ (40%, OB, journey retail, 2023) 
One may think that, on the very least, journey retail finishes could be tailor-made to airports. Right here, as an example, Funchal, naturally, or maybe Lisbon, Faro or… er, Porto. No, overlook it… Color: gold. Nostril: just a few barely soiled touches of mustard and aged walnuts—not disagreeable, actually—dried raisins and toasted almonds, a touch of paprika, then some earthy notes. Fairly nice. Mouth: pepper, mustard, walnut wine, a contact of burnt caramel and bitter chocolate, with a comparatively highly effective assault regardless of the low ABV. Nonetheless, it rapidly turns into fairly prickly on the nostril and turns more and more drying, with hints of mushroom. A pity, as the mixture is attention-grabbing. End: fairly quick, closely on the Madeira, with Worcestershire sauce at this stage. Feedback: one may virtually use it in cooking, maybe in a Madeira sauce. However after all! The 40% ABV is fairly low, that’s for positive, but it surely’s a pleasant drop ultimately.
SGP: 461 – 80 factors. |
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Aberfeldy 15 yo ‘Cadillac Sémillon Wine Cask End’ (43%, OB, 2023) 
I’ve seen that many retailers assume this comes from crimson wine, however after all, Sémillon is a white grape and the inspiration of many candy Bordeaux whites, akin to… Cadillac. There are additionally crimson Cadillacs certainly (technically from the Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac appellation), however naturally, they need to by no means include Sémillon. Color: gold. Nostril: loads of wooden and toasted bread at first, which is fairly charming, then mint, liquorice and a contact of eucalyptus. There are definitely the standard notes of a candy Sémillon—dried apricots, honey, syrupy pineapple, mandarin—however they’re not notably daring. Mouth: pure Sémillon finishes are fairly uncommon. Sauternes are normally Sémillon + Sauvignon and generally Muscadelle. Right here, the oak and a slight stemminess take management virtually instantly, alas, and barely let go. Bitter cocoa, just a few citrus notes… Fairly stunning, provided that Cadillac’s candy wines are typically cheap (round €10 to €15), so it’s uncommon to see them matured in notably energetic casks. End: of medium size. Somewhat inexperienced pepper, a contact of bitter orange, some discordances. Feedback: pretty first rate, however not fairly sufficient to make one drop every thing and begin singing La Donna è Cell, in my humble opinion.
SGP: 561 – 78 factors. |
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Aberfeldy 10 yo 2013/2024 (48.2%, Signatory Classic, Small Batch Version #10, oloroso sherry) 
They are saying “from Pitlochry to the world” on the label, however generally once you go there and take a look at the automotive quantity plates, you’re feeling like Pitlochry is the world. Now the oldsters at Signatory actually have quite a lot of tips up their sleeve, providing some actually beautiful whiskies at wise costs (and some absolute gems which are a contact pricier, thoughts you). Properly performed. Color: deep gold. Nostril: boot polish and a bag of outdated walnuts, an vintage looking rifle that hasn’t fired a shot in 100 years, thyme and lime blossom infusions, then the much-anticipated parade of goodies in all varieties. Fairly the spectacle! Mouth: completely spot on, with darkish chocolate, espresso, dried raisins, peppers and chillies (not an excessive amount of), maraschino and a sliver of Iberian ham. The power is simply good. End: right here come the bitter oranges, hints of bitter beer, and some bitter cherries in eau-de-vie. Inexperienced pepper lingers within the very dry aftertaste. Feedback: completely impeccable, superbly dry and oloroso-y.
SGP: 561 – 85 factors. |
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Consideration distillers and grasp blenders, a brand new appellation, “Médoc Blanc,” has been introduced in Bordeaux. It will doubtless imply new high-quality dry white wines, along with these from Graves/Pessac and the ‘easy’ dry Bordeaux Blancs from the good châteaux (akin to Sauternes or Mouton, Cos, Lynch, Chasse-Spleen, and so forth.), which ought to be capable to use this new designation within the close to future. And make extra of them.
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