Glen Fohdry 12 Year Aiteal an Òir Single Malt

Honestly not sure why I bought this. Likely impulse related before tariffs hit the US. Color: pale golden. Legs: plentiful and slow. Nose: stewed apples, caramel and malt that reminds me a bit of Pilsner. No detectable ethanol, wood or nuts. Body: medium, slowly coats the roof of the mouth and leads into a medium finish. No bite, only a slow and gentle warmth. There is a noticeable tingle on the hes plate and tongue. Palate: up front there is vanilla, almost more blended grain sweetness than honey malt, milk chocolate and faint floral/herbal tidbits with a bit of oak that turns again to have some green apple sweetness with slight astringency and puff of smoke in the finish. This is a bit more complex than I expected but there’s nothing standing out. Solid single malt. It’s a bit like monkey shoulder in that it’s basic but well rounded and not offensive in any way. Oh wait, this is likely sourced from William Grant and Sons who make Monkey shoulder (blended) as well as owning Balvenie and Glenfiddich. This is not like either of the latter, so maybe a single malt version, NCF and proofed up version of Monkey Shoulder. That’s exactly what this is. The more I sip the more I like it. It brings me comfort in a rainy October afternoon. The slightly higher proof, slight mouth coating and medium to long finish make this a solid pour. Good intro Speyside single malt without the fuss of a secondary barrel finish. A good pour for someone into corn-sweet bourbon but likely to disappoint serious single malt fans.

Solid scotch at a great value! The nose screams Sherry aging, but none is listed on the bottle! Full body, solid balance of malt, fruity, oak, and mild peat, slightly sweet. The non-chill filter is an awesome effect! Heavy and full flavor! Almost tastes like the best aspects of Glenlivet, Macallan, and Balvenie hooked up to create this single malt! This easily drinks like it should cost at least $20 more than I paid!

A delicate, non-chill filtered single malt from Speyside, Scotland rested in oak for a minimum of 12 years. It has a sweet birth with notes of fruit & apple; while life adds notes of caramel, peach, ripe banana, dried fruit, vanilla, toffee & dough; that led to a soft & creamy death with hints of cinnamon. November 2017 / May 2018 / January / June 2019 / September 2020 / August 2022 / July 2023

Let this one breath a long time. Salted carmel, apples and oak on the nose, the salted Carmel and apples continue on the creamy palate, the finish is hot for a 12 year old, oaky and medium length. A splash of water turns everything oaky, better off without it.

This is great value. Tastes like a sherry bomb even thought it doesn’t say it’s been in anything but bourbon casks. Non-chill filtered, 47% for under $40! Could pass for a 12 yr old Macallan at twice the price.

Caramel, apple, spicy linger, cinnamon. The finish had a strong sea salt aspect to it. As you let it sit you get more and more banana on the nose and more maple syrup on the tasting note.