Whiskeytemple_Vladimir 
Оценка: 90-91/100
Aberlour 16 y.o. single cask single malt whisky
First contact with whisky from the Aberlour distillery. I got in touch with a special representative of the brand – it comes to Aberlour 16 y.o. single cask single malt cask strength whisky. In more understandable language – 16-year-old single malt whisky, filled from one single cask /6342/ with its alcohol content of 58,6%. The cask is first-fill sherry or such, in which the first whisky matures after the maturation of sherry.
Everything said so far predicts unforgettable pleasure of meeting Aberlour. And mentioning the name of the brand, I think it’s appropriate to write a few lines about its history. It is founded in 1826 by Peter Weir and James Gordon in the Speyside region, where are concentrated most of the Scottish distilleries. Its water source descends from the peak of Ben Rinnes, which the Scots call mountain, despite its height of 800 m. The name ‘Aberlour’ comes from Gaelic and means ‘the mouth of the babbling brook’. Everything would be fantastic, if the distillery was not fire burned in 1879. This time its construction was taken over by the new owner – me! No, of course not. I wish I am the owner of distillery, but I am not /at least for now/. It was rebuilt by the banker James Fleming, also owner of the Dailuaine distillery. Fleming was also and socially responsible person, donating money to help build a hospital in the eponymous town of Aberlour, as well as bridge over the river Spey. His family motto was „Let the deed show“, subsequently adopted by the new owners of the brand. In 1898, a second fire affected the distillery. This time not fatally. Subsequently its capacity was expanded. Later, the distillery was purchased by Chivas Regal, part of the Pernod Ricard family, which still manage it. I think with this introduction, I’m ready to pass on the essential part of the article. For a start I’ll mention that this bottle is special, because it is filled and labeled in the distillery by the visitor. I don’t know what is the price. I found it in bar Masterpiece, where there was and similar bottle with liquid from first-fill bourbon cask.
Aroma – strong, kind of concentrated, honey, sweetness, molasses, dark fruits with pretty strong presence, blueberries, vanilla, thick caramel /imagine topping or caramel concentrate, like those on the cakes/, strong hint of coffee, cherries. Gradually the note of dark dried fruits strengthened, and in combination with the caramel, it results in incredible goody. In combination with the coffee, the scent became even more beautiful. There appeared and chocolate with coffee beans, spiciness, slight woodiness, raisins, roasted caramelized pears and slight note of leather. The addition of water is highly necessary. It strengthened the note of molasses, coffee and dried fruits /plums, blueberries, raisins/, buttery, fruity sweetness and more caramel. I could say that this whisky „spews Christmas“. Excellent aroma! Taste – dry, later appeared traces of dried fruits and butter, light sweetness and ginger, memory of menthol. After more water – butterscotch candies, and taste that reminded me of rye whiskeys. Finish – prolonged, buttery that dominates over the dry taste, sweetness, fruity note, buttery fruitcake, raw cashew nuts, dried plums and blueberries. Assessment: 90-91
In conclusion: beauty!!! Most delicious „sherry giant“ that I’ve tried so far.
