Aultmore 12 Year

Nose: Fresh, bright fruity and grain aromas. Refreshingly effervescent and clean with a light lemon top note. Fresh, sweet grassy hay-like scents along with distinct apple and pear, a little banana and a hint of salted vanilla. Deeper aromas of sweet malt emerge with further nosing. Palate: Sweet and fruity grain arrival, mirroring the initial nose. A subtle development initially, mainly showing some deeper and very mildly spiced honeyed tones, but this quickly develops a crisp, bright, almost bubbly note that combines ginger spice and citrus. There's some orange, sweet pineapple and the texture is silken and very pleasant. There is a mild mineral saltiness throughout that is exquisite. Adding a dash of water mellows the bright spices and increases sweetness. Finish: Medium/short. Pure cereal sugars and malt transition into the sweet aftertaste. This is my first experience with this spirit, and I understand it was not available as an original bottling for a long time. What a shame! It's a lovely, fresh, and beautifully pure spirit. There is an elusive note that is almost, but not quite, smoky. When I first smelled it (straight from the bottle, oops) I thought it might be lightly peated. It's not, but there is some kind of earthy presence in the background. However, the main characteristic is its almost clinically clean profile centered on sweet, light, fruity malt combined with very sharp lemon and ginger. There is an aspect to this that is very much like a high-quality blend (I believe this spirit is an ingredient in blends) and another that is reminiscent of light, ester-like malts in general. It's not dissimilar to some other spirits, and a little like another, but it lacks the deeper sweet notes of either. I really enjoyed it. It's not a massive or intricate spirit and fans of heavily sherried spirits should probably avoid it, but I could happily choose this as a regular dram. It also meets all the requirements - good proof, no artificial coloring, not chill-filtered. Well done. As an introductory spirit for newcomers it surpasses some common choices hands down, although some palates will definitely prefer it slightly diluted. It's a delightful dram and I'm finding it hard to resist giving it a high rating. Considering the very reasonable price, this is highly recommended. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

Nose: Sweet green apples, pine, and a subtle pepper note. Palate: A sweet malt complexity initially emerges with vanilla, lavender, and light green apple taking precedence. This shifts to a black pepper spice and then fades into light, sweet oak with hints of juniper and spearmint. The ethanol isn't well-integrated. This spirit is very thin and light. The finish is lengthy but somewhat astringent and bitter. Notes: While I usually prefer bolder flavors in scotch, this is a Speyside. The poorly integrated ethanol is a drawback, but its price, complexity, and quality are high compared to some single malts from this region. It's non-chill-filtered and natural color at 46%. This is my favorite Speyside thus far, and I'd suggest it as a scotch to convert gin drinkers.

Another Speyside I've overlooked despite seeing it everywhere. The nose has sweet malt, pears stewed with baking spices, and some toasty wood notes. It's a bit intense initially from the glass but calms down. The palate is vibrant and full of flavor. Pears and apples with heather and more malt. It's juicy and deep, but the heat slightly interferes. Fruit skins and light char oak with fading malt on the finish. It flirts with bitterness at the end but doesn't quite get there. This meets classic Speyside expectations and surpasses many competitors. It's a solid, quality scotch that I would repurchase, but the heat holds it back just a bit. I recently finished Cragganmore 12, which is superior, so.......88/100, just under 4 stars......I suspect the 18-year-old is fantastic, so I'll likely explore that next from this distillery.

While Glencadam 10 receives deserved attention, Aultmore is frequently overlooked as a warm-weather drink, which I find odd. The aroma is subtle, pure, and a little floral, suggesting green apples, honeycomb, and mild spices. Notes of lemon peel, unripe pears, and a touch of marzipan emerge. The palate presents sweet and sour pineapple, honey, and lime, followed by gingery, grassy, and slightly bitter elements. Grapefruit zest, nutmeg, and coffee persist into the crisp finish dominated by the cask. A hidden treasure that is absolutely worth sampling! RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Nose: Green melon, lemon, and fresh grass. Palate: Very delicate on the palate, with notes of spice, lemon drops, becoming sharper and warm at the back of the tongue. Finish: The finish is medium length, with notes of black tea and milk, a hint of black pepper, and cantaloupe. This was my first time trying it, and I wasn't impressed; my tasting order made it seem bland. It's a light scotch for those who prefer a less intense experience. The term "foggy" accurately describes it.

Nose: light and misty. Gentle peat, spicy pepper, salty seaside air, rose-like notes, and a hint of cacao. Palate: apple and orchard fruits, more light peat and salt, milk chocolate. Finish: vanilla and chocolate, but on the shorter side. Delightful. The gentle sweetness, light peat and smoke, and subtle fruit create an elegant and refined dram.