Yes, you read that right – 46%. This 200ml bottle of Aberfeldy, along with counterparts from Aultmore and Craigellachie, was part of a collection for Amazon to accompany a tasting event of Dewar’s malts. As far as I can tell the pack is still available. The Aultmore and Craigellachie were in their usual 12 and 13 year-old presentetions respectively, and it was a very welcome move to bump this Aberfeldy up to 46%, thus making it an even playing field between the three malts.
Nose: Honey, a hint of orange peel. Water brings out vanilla and citrus fruit.
Palate: It’s spicier than on the nose (ginger and nutmeg), but the classic Aberfeldy honey isn’t far from the surface. The main difference with the regular Aberfeldy 12 is the texture – the mouthfeel here is much richer and fits the honeyed profile very well. However, I don’t find much depth in terms of flavours, even though the sweetness is no doubt a crowd-pleaser.
Finish: Medium, with a hint of nuts. Oak spices soon take over.
Comments: It’s good, but ideally I want my honeyed whisky with more fruit and less overt wood spice. The richness of the texture however comfortably adds at least 2-3 points over the 40% version. We all have those easy-drinking whiskies where we think how good they could’ve been with a more natural presentation – this version of the Aberfeldy 12 is your chance to find out.
Score: 82/100
