Aberfeldy 21 Year

Nose: Orange water, diluted honey, malt, and vanilla. The nose is very shy when first poured but gains considerable weight after resting for a while. Warm malty notes emerge along with a well-integrated sherry and leather quality that is very pleasant. With more time, a definite waxiness appears. [The aroma from the dry glass is substantial sherried honey and malt with a wisp of smoke]. Palate: A very soft, sweet, silken, and luxurious arrival with plenty of sweet orange juice and some leathery sherried malt. The development is meager when first poured due to the low proof, and the whisky needs time to open in the glass before the development's full potential is realized. Once it has opened, there are sultana, red cherry, raisin, plum, and grassy notes, and the same waxiness detected on the nose appears in the palate. The excellent initial texture fades and turns slightly oily but thin. Finish: Medium/short. Honeyed malt and herbal notes with a breath of spice that quickly disappears. The nose is indeed very good, but the palate, while delightful, is cruelly hampered by the low proof, and the finish is sadly abbreviated. It is a subtle malt, however, and it requires a surprising amount of time to open. The nose (which is elegant and fine from the start) improves markedly after 20 minutes, gaining depth and fullness. The palate also improves, but this expression is criminally weak. If it were released at 46% ABV (or higher), it would be a magnificent dram that could rival Highland Park 18 and the better Old Pulteneys. What a shame. As it stands, it's a very good malt but doesn't quite reach excellent. If it were priced below AUD$200, I'd call it a reasonable buy, but at the current price of $250, it's simply too much for what it is. However, if it were bottled at 46%, it would probably challenge anything else in the $250 bracket and become a recommended purchase. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

This is a sublime spirit, unlike anything else. It's beyond compare to even the most difficult flavors. The creation of this bottle is so far beyond human comprehension that our ancestors would have been speechless. This is not merely Scotch; it's pure enchantment. The aroma offers subtle yet powerful notes of vanilla and sweetness. The initial taste presents apple with a texture as smooth and fluid as water, barely revealing its alcoholic nature. It's a true marvel. The mid-palate delivers a robust combination of honey and vanilla, creating a profoundly moving experience. It's exceptionally smooth. The finish, while gaining intensity, culminates in a feeling of euphoria akin to spiritual or mind-altering experiences. To echo a sentiment, "I feel like I just smoked a nice joint and had a euphoric high."

Despite a general dislike for Speyside whiskies and a tendency to avoid Aberlour, this expression stands out. It's a commendable bottling. Sporting a tawny hue and bottled at 40% ABV. The aroma is typical of a Speyside, which I often refer to as "apple juice." Notes of honey, green apples, honey-infused cornflakes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla cream are present, though not particularly striking. The taste, however, was surprisingly better: red fruits, cider, a pleasant oakiness, and honey. The finish is quite lengthy with lingering cider notes. My scoring was as follows: nose: 20/25; palate 24/25; finish 25/25; balance: 22/25, resulting in a respectable 91 out of 100 for this fine dram. It might feel closer to an 88, but it's undeniably a good whisky.

A truly delicious single malt. In my opinion, Aberfeldy is an outstanding and often underestimated spirit for its price. Tasting their 21-year-old, I would have guessed it cost significantly more than it does. This whiskey has a sweet, tongue-coating honey flavor. A subtle herbaceous spice emerges in the mid-palate, reminiscent of peppercorns. It concludes with a faint hint of peat smoke, but the underlying honey sweetness persists throughout. Their 12-year-old is a delightful and smooth choice. This 21-year-old is a complex, full-bodied, and remarkably rich and sweet whiskey. I have an unopened bottle of the 16-year and am eager to try it. I believe Aberfeldy has earned a regular spot in my collection.

I highly recommend this Scotch, considering it the best available in Canada for a 21-year-old. Everything from the packaging to the taste is superb. Purchased for $139 CAD at Costco, it holds a prime spot on my shelf. At this cost, I'm happy to share it without hesitation. The sweet malted barley is the dominant flavor, complemented by honey, making it accessible to everyone, not just connoisseurs. Its smoothness is remarkable. Update: This Scotch has become scarce at Costco, leading me to believe it might be a limited release as indicated. I must be more judicious with sharing this exceptional Scotch.

The initial taste is characteristic of a classic highland malt: sweet, roasted malt. There are some floral undertones, but the overall profile is consistently subtle. I find it difficult to detect any sherry cask influence or significant oakiness. However, this contributes to the dram's smoothness and inoffensiveness. A faint smokiness is present, and the spice borders on harshness for a whisky of its price and age, yet it maintains its composure and smoothness. The finish is understated, slightly spicy, and remarkably long. In essence, this whisky evokes Canadian spirits: agreeable but tediously unengaging.