Aberfeldy 15 Year Small Batch Exceptional Cask Series

Aroma: Apples, pears, oatmeal, a subtle hint of honeyed-vanilla, basil, thyme, a trace of chimney soot, and weak black tea. There's a sharp alcoholic presence and a distinct, though subdued, sherry influence. Over time, the honey and sherry notes become more prominent, but overall, the aroma was unsatisfying. It's good, but very reserved, more akin to an average blended scotch than a single malt. In fact, older expressions of Dewars are superior. Palate: A gentle arrival with orchard fruits and some red berries, underpinned by a malty, dark, earthy quality. The sherry casks (definitely oloroso) contribute a leafy, vegetative, umami character. Subtle notes of powdered ginger and pepper emerge later, along with a slight tannic bite, bitter black coffee, and walnuts. The texture is pleasant but unremarkable. Finish: Medium/short. Leafy. Grainy malt with a mild spicy bitterness at the end. Essentially, a lot of fuss about nothing. It’s a competent malt with no discernible flaws, but calling it exceptional? Hardly. Perhaps the casks were just exceptionally stable and common? Adding even a few drops of water diminishes the aroma. It reduces the palate's intensity but allows the sherry cask influence to be perceived more clearly. I'm finding it difficult to identify further positive attributes for this malt and am struggling to finish the dram; it's simply very dull. This was a relatively limited release (4,800 bottles 4 years ago), so it's likely scarce. I certainly won't be seeking out a bottle. It was initially priced at AUD$140, which was steep then, and current online prices for the few available bottles are $200 and above. It doesn't justify that cost. “Average”: 79/100 (2.75 stars)