Scallywag 13 Year

Smell: Sweet fruity caramel, vanilla, caramel apples, raisins, a touch of dried cranberries, spicy fruitcake Taste: Spiced/mulled apple juice, juicy dark raisins, dried apples soaked in brandy & white wine, a hint of dark chocolate, cinnamon, light metallic fruit, slightly thin mouthfeel Finish: Lingering fruity metallic sweetness, light dark chocolate bitterness, metallic lightly sweet raisins, apple juice Score - 82/100 Final Thoughts - This was a rather pleasant blended Speyside with significant sherry influence. A very nice aroma and a good initial impact on the palate, though it suffers from a metallic sweetness on the back palate that persists into the finish. This offering was superior to the NAS mini I sampled previously, but the metallic notes on the back end extending into the finish are somewhat distracting. Overall, not a bad dram, but I suspect this would be best in a highball or something that would help mask the metallic finish. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - Not another

The initial taste made quite an impact. Intense diesel-like sherry notes. It brought to mind Fettercairn, though that's a Highland dram, then I realized it must be Aberlour stock. Overall, it's a pretty decent dram. Primarily burnt sweet toffee once it develops, though the finish is somewhat drying and astringent. A metallic hint was noticed at first but then seemed to recede until the finish. I'm torn between a 3.75 and a 4 for this one. I appreciate the strong sherry upfront, but like many Aberlours, it lacks that desirable oily, full body, resulting in a thinner mid-palate and a bitter finish. It's odd because the dram is best savored by swirling it around your mouth; as soon as you let it sit and swallow, the experience significantly diminishes.

The aroma begins with a lovely wine sweetness combined with barley. Honey and straw follow, accompanied by a certain creaminess that also emerges. It almost smells like a slice of cake alongside dessert wine, a truly pleasant experience. The taste is soft and gentle, filling the mouth with wine sweetness and sweet barley. A touch of baking spices warms the mouth, while cream and oak appear towards the end. It doesn't quite reach all parts of the mouth, but it has a pleasant, subtle richness that makes it quite enjoyable to sip. The finish is of medium length and incredibly smooth, leaving the mouth with a creamy sensation and slight hints of cinnamon as the wine sweetness recedes.

A rich, 13-year-old variation of a remarkable blended malt Scotch whisky! Featuring a blend of Speyside malts, all aged for a minimum of 13 years for this bottling. It begins with a Sherry influence, offering notes of steamed berry pudding, ginger & vanilla-infused malt; aging adds notes of brown sugar, blackberries & chocolate fudge; concluding with a long & warming finish of granola bars, milk chocolate & a hint of cinnamon. Bottled between February 2018 and August 2022.

Richer than the non-aged Scallywag, and superior. A slight trace of the Speyside I dislike, but not enough to spoil it. Likely would purchase.

Vanilla and strawberry preserve spotted pudding on the nose. Tastes of fudge, chocolate, and muscovado with cinnamon appearing at the finish.