This whisky is a release from the popular Speyside single malt brand of Aberlour. It forms part of a trio of whiskies for their travel retail range. The other bottlings are the no-age-stated Aberlour Suthainn and 16 Years Old Double Charred Selection. They have been created by Sandy Hyslop, the Master Blender for Aberlour, and designed to showcase the craftmanship of those that work at the distillery.
This Aberlour 13 Years Old Double Cask Matured Single Malt is bottled at 40% ABV and has been matured in American oak ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It will cost £68. Aberlour Suthainn (48% ABV/ £85) is matured through a sherry cask solera process using European oak ex-sherry casks. The Aberlour 16 Years Old Double Charred Selection (43% ABV/ £121) has seen a finishing period in extra charred American oak ex-bourbon barrels.
The trio feature a refreshed design with a lighter bottle and packaging. This is to reconfirm brand pointers for customers and reduce weight. The three bottlings are available now in UK airports, plus Delhi airport in India. A worldwide roll out will be seen from April this year onwards.
The Aberlour distillery is located in the picturesque Speyside village of the same name. The village sits on the banks of the River Spey. The distillery was founded in 1879 by James Fleming, a wealthy local business man. He paid for numerous buildings and services for the village including the first supply of electricity and the village’s hospital – this is still open today and carries his name. The distillery has an annual production capacity of 3.8 million litres.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep gold and the nose is sweet, fruity and bright. There is an abundance of fresh green apple, which is supported by aromas of dried cherry and elegant wood spice. These include clove, nutmeg and mace. The sweetness is reminiscent of golden syrup and vanilla sugar with hints of cocoa powder and apricot jam. There is also a background aroma of tropical fruit, especially dried papaya.
On the palate this whisky is soft, sweet and malty. It feels very creamy with vibes of vanilla cream and crème anglaise from a good patisserie. Then comes a wave of crisp green apple, although this becomes more like baked apple over time. A Horlicks or Ovaltine maltiness supports everything, and is complimented by further notes of milk chocolate and golden syrup. The combination is reminiscent of Maltesers.
A distinct note of dessicated coconut sits in the background, and is joined by some deep lying tropical fruit characteristics. Think of that papaya from the nose again plus hints of mango and pineapple. Late warming wood spices develop also, especially cinnamon and dried ginger with hint of clove. Further hints of candied orange and bitter cocoa powder round things off.
The finish is quite short, especially once the sweet and fruity elements have begun to fade. This reveals the wood spices in all their glory and they sit alongside a distnct peppery heat. Easy drinking and very moreish.
What’s The Verdict?
This whisky is very accessible and ticks all the boxes for a classic Speyside single malt like Aberlour. It is not the most complicated whisky or innovative, but it does not need to be. The whisky’s characters are classic and timeless. The Aberlour 13 Years Old Double Cask Matured will keep their fans happy with this. The whisky exhibits a lovely balance of sweet, fruit and malt with evolving woody spices adding depth. Definitely worth a look as you pass through the airport, if not a small taste.
