Aberlour 12 Non Chill Filtered

Intro:

 

This 12 year old is a little different then the other 12's from Aberlour. This one has 8% more ABV.

The result of that higher ABV is that this whisky is super rich on the nose and really complex on the palate.

 

Price: around 40 €/$/£

 

Coloured - Not Chill FIltered

 

48% ABV (alcohol by volume)

 

Nose:

When you pour a glass, you instantly notice that sherry is in the air....

When you nose it neat you do get a little hit from the alcohol, this starts to soften up when the bottle gets lower.

The nose is full, rich and complex and filled with juicy sweet sherry aromas.

The sweetness is not overpowering but it is just enough to add that little bit extra.

Next to the sherry is a wood and chocolate note to bring depth.

Juicy and ripe raisins and currents are also mixed in.

In the back there also is some light honey and vanilla adding sweetness.

The sherry contains a lot of red juicy fruits, raspberries, strawberries, apple etc.

Some citrus and orange peel is making it's way in after a while.

 

Palate:

Neat you notice a lot of spiciness due to the high(er) ABV.

It is really rich and on your first sip you start to get an idea of what this whisky can offer, spoiler, it is a lot.

The mouthfeel is pretty waxy and oily but not to much.

From the start you notice juicy sherry, raisins, currents and plums covered in a little honey sweetness.

Oak is in the back.

This whisky is so complex that I find it hard to translate the palate in words. 

 

Finish/Aftertaste.

I get a lovely oaky milk chocolate note after swallowing.

Then sweet honeyed malt is making it's way in.

The aftertaste is medium to long, an absolute joy!

 

Water:

I suggest adding some water to this whisky to open it up just that bit more.

 

Summary:

I think you know what I am going to say, I LOVE THIS WHISKY!

It is available, not to expensive.

I can sip this when I want a sherry whisky or a bourbon whisky, a true all-rounder.

If you are not that big of a sherry fan I think you should just give it a try, it offers a lot.

In my opinion this scotch has everything on it's side, price, availability, ABV, nose, palate, aftertase and finish.

 

10/10