Aberfeldy 16 Year

This is the second night in a row that I’m reviewing a 16-year single malt from a line from which I’d only previously had the 12-year. The Mortlach 12 definitely made more of an impression than the Aberfeldy 12, so hopefully this one here can even out the score. Nose: Honey, butterscotch, vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Floral notes. Apple, apricot, and pear. Orange, tangerine, and golden raisin. Almond. Sugar cookie. Light clove, nutmeg, and oak spice. Cinnamon and white pepper as well. It’s on the lighter side; which comes as no surprise at 40% ABV. Palate: Caramel, toffee, vanilla, butterscotch, and honey. Gala apple, golden raisin, and grape. Apricot. Sherry notes and almond. Almond butter. Oak and baking spice. Finish: Almond/almond butter and macadamia. Honey, butterscotch, vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Short, maybe short-moderate finish. I’ve said it many times, and I really don’t like saying it because it makes me feel like I’m discriminating against the 40% ABV bottlings. But it is always true. They are always relatively simple. And while this is a perfectly good whisky, it is extremely evident that it would be far superior at a higher proof. Why take the time and care to age this in quality barrels for more than a decade and a half, only to water this down to the absolute bare minimum? This is a fine whisky. Perfectly pleasant, nice balance, solid profile. But at 40%, there isn’t enough complexity here give it the score I’d like to when I’m really being critical. And that’s a shame, because it’s an objectively good whisky at a great price when you consider the age statement. At $90, I just need more complexity. This is a 3.25 or a 3.5 whisky on its face. But I need more punch, and VFM drags this down despite the incredible age statement at the cost. 3/5 even.

Nose: Very light honey, pollen, beeswax, cereal. A hint of weak orange herbal tisane and a little background oak as it opens. Palate: The palate is very much the same as the nose. Sweet and soft on the arrival, which is mostly mildly spiced honey and light malt. Nothing new emerges in the development - the spicy, dry mead-like character expands briefly then subsides into the finish. The texture has a dilute creamy nature, but the honey tones are crisp. Finish: Short. Mild citrus and honey. The palate fades away until suddenly you notice it has completely vanished. A soft, slightly sweet malt that is very easy to drink. It's certainly well made and there are no off notes anywhere but it lacks complexity and the finish is short. You certainly don't need water either - it tastes a little thin to me and I cannot help but wonder how delightful this profile could be at 46%. If you want a very approachable whisky as a nightcap, or if you are just starting out and looking for something that is rewarding but not challenging, then you could do a lot worse then Aberfeldy 16. However if you are an experienced whisky drinker who is only interested in assertive whiskies that offer a challenge then give this a miss. "Above Average" : 81/100 (3 stars)

Wow. Please forgive the following effusiveness. This is THE gateway dram for any among those who for whatever reason thinks they won’t ever appreciate Scotch whisky. It does come at a premium price, but for the possibility of instantly turning one who’s whisky averse into whisky curious it’s well worth it. Nose: floral & honey with a subtle hint of musty (in a good way), no ethanol Palate: clean & short, if that’s possible, a bit of vanilla / crème brûlée and rain (that ‘good’ mustiness or maybe just some sort of Caledonian ozone alchemy); lingering spice makes this dram taste like Christmas Finish: moderate to long, mild spice, firm sherry at the end of it all. Stunning complexity overall. If I were ‘stranded on an isle’ or confined to house arrest (much more likely) this would have to be one of the choices on the list. If you see it on a bar or store shelf or on a menu it’s a ‘yes’. Treat yourself.

Having tried and been a fan of 12 year Aberfeldy for some time as one of the best bargain single malts on the market, I got a gift pack for a friend for Christmas of 12, 16 and 21. We only recently got into the 16 year and its just fine. Tastes are subjective but I thought this was a little too fruit heavy for my taste. Credit where its due, it is smooth through and through and goes down with no burn. Toward the end of the taste do I detect some dark chocolate sweetness? It's almost chalky. No.. for me, I would save the green and get 12 year or go a little fancier with the 21. But really this whole lineup tastes much pricier than the price point suggests and are actually readily available anywhere. A plus in these crazy times.

Nose – Raisin cream pies, hay/straw, dates, figs, and oaky properties... Palate – honey bomb, barbecue, toffee, caramel, black pepper, medium mouth coat... Finish - Green apple, butter, white chocolate, dry and short.... Water - Brings apples/pear forward with barbecue on the nose…..palate unchanged... A decent daily sipper, if you want a honey bomb type, but a bit on the expensive side for what you get...The theme to this dram is "Honey Pie" by The Beatles.

Finished off a 200ml bottle of this from a sampler 3-pack. Its very similar to the 12 with a bit of extra body and flavor. Sure its a pleasant scotch and I enjoyed drinking it but by no means is this a $100 bottle imo. Where the 12 yr scores bonus points for value this takes a hit. No possible way I would buy a bottle of this........77/100