Aberfeldy is, typically speaking, an uncomplicated and easy-drinking single malt Scotch whisky. That’s not to disparage this Highland distillery, which is nicknamed “the golden dram” and is a key component in Dewar’s. But the core 12-year-old whisky’s signature honey and vanilla-forward character makes it a solid if somewhat unremarkable offering amongst the many different whisky options in the region.
That being said, things start to change as Aberfeldy ages a few decades, and even more so when different types of casks are thrown into the mix, either for full maturation or secondary finishing. That's certainly the case with two new single malts that were recently released, each with a high age statement, unique barrel journey, and definitive flavor profile.
The first is a 26-year-old whisky that was finished in Languedoc red wine barrels, a type of French red wine, after initial maturation.
Wine finishes are a specialty at Aberfeldy, with previous expression released over the past few years spending time in casks sourced from Tuscany, Napa Valley, Argentina, and different regions of France. Sometimes red wine finishes go overboard, introducing excessive tannic elements and juicy dark fruit notes to the whisky’s palate.
However, malt master Stephanie Macleod has achieved a balanced flavor profile with this whisky. Its core honey and vanilla character is present, as are layers of oak, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and ripe berries that coat every sip. The whisky was bottled at a relatively high 52.2 percent ABV.
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The next release is a single barrel whisky—meaning it comes from one barrel instead of a blend of many—that was aged for an impressive 39 years in a sherry cask. Distilleries like The Macallan and The Glendronach also age their whiskies in sherry casks, and sometimes for close to half a century, but the results here are very different.
The whisky evolved into something beautiful. Notes of caramelized orange peel, raisin, fig, apricot jam, and a layer of baking spice intermingle on the palate, while the finish features a little bit of heat. This expression was bottled at a slightly lower 50.8 percent ABV.
Both of these are pretty expensive whiskies. The 26-year-old is priced at $765 and the 39-year-old is going for $4,250. Although those are both splurge-level price tags, if you have the chance and the means to buy a bottle, or perhaps order a dram or two at your favorite high-end bar, you won’t be disappointed.
Related: This New Limited-Edition Scotch Is a Bargain for Its Impressive Age
