Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured

ABERLOUR SHOWDOWN Aberlour 16 Aberlour 18 Continuing to work through whiskies in my collection that I’ve not yet reviewed. In this particular case, I wrote a brief review the Aberlour 18 over a year ago, so it seems appropriate to review it with its younger sibling. I’ve owned the 12-year-old expression, and I wanted to include it, but apparently it was drained some time ago. Then I thought about including a couple of bottles of the Aberlour A’Bunadh, but since those are cask-strength bottlings, they are a bit incongruous with these, and are better reviewed on their own. Aberlour characterizes these whiskies as “double cask matured,” beginning their maturation in American oak casks, and finishing them in sherry oak casks. Aberlour 16 Clear sherry-influenced mahogany color; Pantone 153. Nose is a little muted, especially compared to the 18-year, but still shows Luxardo cherries, chocolate, nutmeg, and gentle spearmint coolness. Palate has some toffee and orange bitters, leading to a low-alcohol modest spice, and a little espresso bitterness on the short to medium finish. I purchased this, my first and only bottle of the 16, along with the 12, because I was in love with the cask-strength A’Bunadh, and already appreciated the 18. Frankly, when I purchased them I’d not paid attention to the fact that both the 12-year and 16-year were bottled at only 40% ABV. I’ve mentioned in several reviews my disdain for the focus on economics that this bare-minimum ABV represents. The 16-year-old can be found for about $120, and as such, is expensive for a 40% ABV whisky. It’s a sweet and approachable expression of a solid sherry-casked whisky. But would I buy it again? No. 3.5 on the Distiller scale, considering the poor value. 40% ABV. Batch AB16-1-19 Aberlour 18 Color virtually identical to the 16-year, despite another two years of aging; Pantone 153. The nose is fuller and richer than the 16: molasses, toffee, orange bitters, dark butterscotch, and mulled cider. The palate is far more expansive than the 16-year, with a more intense burnt orange and toffee, along with some sweet molasses from the nose. The finish shows a pleasant espresso bitterness, similar to the 16, but more robust. The higher ABV is apparent. The 18 can be found for around $200. Would I buy it again? Yes, if I’m not price-sensitive. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. 43% ABV. Unlike the 16-year, no batch number; this is an older bottle, with the older label, which didn’t include batch numbers. I don’t know if the newer bottlings include batch numbers. Compared to the 16-year-old, I would speculate that the 18-year-old’s higher ABV contributes as much, if not more, than the extra two years of aging (which is not that much in the cool and damp Scotch whisky aging process). This in turn begs the question of the purpose of a 16-year with the same 40% ABV of the 12-year, situated between the 12 and the 18. For most age-statement Scotch whiskies, a 10- or 12-year represents the entry-level offering. A bottling with 16 years of age is closer to 18 years than 12. Why offer the 16 at the same 40% ABV as the entry-level 12? Or, why offer (theoretically) a 16-year-old at the same 43% ABV as the 18? Neither make sense to me from a brand perspective. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Review #056 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 40% Comments: aged 16 years, matured in ex-bourbon American oak and sherry butts, this bottle was from batch no. AB16 2-21 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 The nose is subtle, but hands-down the best part. Vanilla and sugary caramel are most evident. Also picking up orange zest, nuts, and fruity pastries. It’s not complex, but I rather like how inviting it is. Palate: 26/40 The first thought that crossed my mind upon taking a sip was how watery this is. Like someone drank half the bottle and refilled it with water. What’s discernible is mildly floral, with hints of red delicious apple, orange peel, oak tannins, and brown sugar. Admittedly my palate is adjusting to this as I sip it more, but it’s still very underwhelming. Finish: 24/40 Medium-short finish. More dry oak tannins, actually noticeably drying out my mouth, accompanied by mild chili pepper heat and cinnamon. With Water: I almost skipped this step as I think the distiller already checked the box, but diligence calls for a few drops. The chili pepper heat on the finish is kicked up a notch, now more noticeable in the back of my mouth. There’s a new salty flavor introduced as the finish unfolds also. Total: 67/100 Final thoughts: I’ve lamented when reviewing bottles before about low ABVs and wished some had been left a few percentage points higher, but this so muted that it’s something else entirely. This bottle is criminally under-proofed. That being said, this isn’t a bottle that I disliked. The flavors that are here are good and play nicely together, they’re just incredibly stifled to the point of being almost dull. If this was a $50 bottle I would have given it a higher rating, but for the price it’s just a mistake I made with my credit card. Price: $102 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

I've been working on this bottle of Aberlour 16 for a while now, enjoying a sip every now and then. This has become a nightcap favorite, a scotch I'll pour to sit and watch TV or read. A recent purchase of a bottle of Kirkland 17 Year Speyside prompted me to add this re-review as part of my side-by-side comparison. This whisky was enjoyed neat from a NEAT tasting glass On the nose the Aberlour is a bit mustier with an earthier note of clay, ripe orchard fruit, figs and vanilla bean than the soft and even more delicate Kirkland. Both are nearly devoid of ethanol and represent the complex and approachable personality of a good Speyside single malt well. On the palate the Kirkland is drier than the nose suggests, but far from dry. Nice integration of sherry fruits, brandied cherry, ripe apples rides on a wave of breakfast cereal. The Aberlour is drier still, richer and earthier with notes of dark chocolate. If I may apply a metaphor, the Kirkland is between the stacks of the public library and the Aberlour is in the leather seating of a private library. Very much similar, yet meaningfully different experiences. The Aberlour 16 is suave, sophisticated, subdued and multidimensional. It delivers a melange of fruitcake, baker's chocolate and wet cereal grains in a very cohesive and enjoyable package. Aberlour 16 is an excellent scotch whisky, even if its near $100 price point doesn't make it a bargain. It's worth its price.

This is a balanced offering leaning towards a more Sherry characteristic by Aberlour. The double cask effect truly shines in the 16, and it feels like an achievement in the distilleries intentions more so than the 12 year old offering. By that I mean, the 12 felt like an incomplete work of art. At 16, it feels like the artwork is truly complete and cohesive. Of course, this comes with a higher price but it’s worth it for those that are looking for a scotch with Sherry characteristics. Deep dark and rich fruits, spiciness, some woody characteristics but beautifully balanced so that no particular note overpowers the senses. Sweet but just in the right amount. Very drinkable, smooth, and complete in a sense. Great stuff.

Nose has more heat than expected for 40% ABV. Judicious nosing pulls out oak, red berries and creme brulé. I expect a nice nose for this age but it's not guaranteed, and appreciated when it pans out. Palate is smooth and inviting, carrying that creme brulé and overripe red berries from the nose, but adding a blast of powdered dark chocolate, Jordan almonds, and warm caramel. There isn't so much a close as you just realize the caramel taste has departed and your tongue is ever so slightly tingly. I enjoy the nose and flavor profile and it's very approachable and easy to drink. If you see this in a bar it's a safe, solid and logical buy, and I recommend it

Nose : sweet red fruits, oak, vanilla, malt Palate : same as nose, smooth, creamy, and easy to drink. Overall I would spend my money on a different whisky for the current price of this. Only 40% abv, chill filtered, and color added for $120 in my area? Not a good deal. Luckily i purchased this at $70. For the current price in my area you can get many better whiskies. 3/5 stars for value to taste ratio. This is a great whisky to introduce people to scotch. Not too complex and easy to drink.