Review: Aberlour 16 Years Old

Up for review today is Aberlour's 16 year old scotch. Aberlour is known for its bold, strongly sherried whiskys, somewhat akin to other Speysides such as Macallan and Glenfarclas. This particular expression is double cask matured - aged first in an oak cask, and then finished in a sherry cask, for a total of 16 years.

The time spent in sherry casks is clearly evident from the whisky's color, which is a very nice deep amber, with long, thin legs upon swirling. The aroma is powerful - honey sweetness, sherry, earth, and apples. The flavor is similarly rich, and quite complex. It's sweet throughout, with flavors of vanilla and sherry soon giving way to honey, apple, and peaches. Nice long finish, with hints of wood and tobacco. The mouthfeel is very smooth and pleasant, with the 43% alcohol content providing considerable warmth, but little bite.

This is an excellent scotch - it's pleasant enough to sip on for quite a while, and complex enough not to get boring while you do. If you enjoy big, flavorful sherried scotches, then this is not one to miss.

Price: ~$50

Value: 19/20
Overall Quality: 18/20