Aberlour 12 Year Non Chill-Filtered

Info: A standard offering from Aberlour, a renowned distillery in the Speyside region. The 12-year-old is bottled at 40% ABV and is a blend of traditional oak and sherry casks. It has received numerous awards between 2013 and 2018. Nose: Oak and typical sherry spice: red fruits and cinnamon. Palate: Woody, with fruitcake and cinnamon flavors. The dilution is noticeable. Light intensity and texture. While not stated, I suspect it's chill-filtered. Contrary to my expectations, it holds up well after being opened. My bottle, several months old, shows no discernible difference compared to a new one. Finish: Calm, short, with the same aromas. Overall: Lacking in complexity, light but very drinkable. It serves as a good introduction for a novice to sherry whiskies, offering an idea of the aromatic profile. However, the dry oakiness might overshadow the typically richer aroma of sherry. It's also a good introduction to oak and woodiness. I enjoy it, but it's more of an introductory whisky than one for experienced enthusiasts. If you know your preferences and are beyond this level, move on. Unless you want a casual weeknight whisky, it's not a must-buy like the Abunad'h. It's "cute." It's good and uncomplicated. But don't expect it to blow you away. 72%

Nose - Strong sweet dark dried stone fruit, sweet toasted oaky vanilla, with hints of dark chocolate, leather, and caramel. Taste - Sweet, spicy dried prunes, white pepper heat, a light bitterness similar to stone fruit pits and apple stems, a hint of bittersweet cocoa nibs, and the sweetness of almond skin. It drinks as if it were over 60% ABV. Finish - Long, lingering syrupy sweet dark stone fruit, with white pepper heat and a hint of sweet almonds. Score - 93/100 Final Thoughts - I was pleasantly surprised by this dram, as its aroma was full-bodied. It's a nice "sherry bomb" with good balance throughout. This was richly flavored, well-balanced, and consistently pleasant from beginning to end. If I could find it more easily, I'd likely keep it as a staple on my shelf.

Nose: vanilla, mild citrus fruits, making way for green apple and cherries. Palate: rich and oily, white chocolate, plums, red fruits preserved in alcohol, cherries in brandy. Finish is thick and sweet, medium to long. A worthwhile product that appears much older than it is! Rating 4.25

Price - £29 Color - hay Presentation - wine glass, a few drops of water Nose - Initially greeted by a wave of lemon sugar cookie. Deep caramel notes. Hints of vanilla. Slightly briny. Flavor - The lemon sugar cookie flavor persists, accompanied by some nuttiness. No pepper or heat detected. Overall - I was hesitant about this bottle as the 10-year expression didn't impress me. I decided to try it because some friends brought a cask strength bottle from the distillery last year, which was incredible. However, this bottle is really hitting the right notes for me. I will definitely purchase this again. Rating - 84/100

48% ABV, significantly more body and thickness Nose: warming spices, dried fruits, apple, figs, plenty of vanilla, much more caramel than the 40% version, a hint of alcohol Palate: similar to the aroma, plus nuts; this has more body, thickness, and a peppery note towards the late finish Finish: viscous, creamy, much longer than the 50% version, nutty, slightly dry, peppery; the sensation lingers for minutes

Perhaps I received a flawed bottle. It was awful. Not much aroma. Hints of wood and perhaps a little fruit. Oakiness dominates the taste, with subtle spice underneath and some raisins. The fruit and spice become clearer with the addition of water. The astringency also lessens after adding water. In my opinion, it's not worth the cost.