Aberlour 10yo (40%, OB, L0145/L0146, b. ca 1990): nose: gentle and pleasant notes of caramelised orange rinds and stewing marmalade that are characteristic of every-day malts from that era. It has a whisper of toasted cereals, then candied tangerines and pink-grapefruit segments, as well as caramelised peel. Next up is a scent of fudge, then stale lemonade. This brings one back to one's grandparents, suggesting a simpler time with simpler -- but no-less-comforting -- tastes. The second nose is darker, more influenced by sherry, with beef-stock cubes and earthy fortified wine (Madeira?), if not middle-aged rubber. Mouth: soft and fruity, it is similar to the nose in its display of candied citrus, caramelised citrus peel and general comfy fruitiness. Marmalade features prominently, with fudge providing backing vocals. It has more butter than the nose hinted at, so fudge seems apt indeed. There is a distant wood bitterness, not at all a nuisance. The texture is really that of lemonade. The second sip adds some plastic to the equation -- it is like drinking lemonade from a black plastic bottle, of the sort they give away after organised races. Finish: lemonade here too, the finish sees the very distinct addition of butterscotch. Whereas it had oozed Sherry maturation through every pore to this point, it is more nuanced, here, and I reckon it is safe to say that at least some Bourbon casks were used in the mix: the clearly custard-y touch is a tell-tale. Caramel flan, spiked custard, a few drops of cola, (woops! That is the Sherry taking back control, innit). It is acidic, sweet and gently bitter, which means there is something for virtually everyone in here -- and that is kind of the point of this entry-level bottling, I suppose: nothing offensive to anyone. Still, if all entry-level whiskies had this level of quality, I do not think many would complain! 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, adc)
Happy commercial day to all lovers.
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