Review: Aberfeldy 16
Aberfeldy 16
Single Malt Scotch - Highland Region, Scotland
40% ABV
It’s not often that I think it’s easy to sum up a whisky in just one word. Don’t worry, there are still plenty more below to describe this one. But, if push came to shove this whisky is simply FUN! Fun and fruity! Alright, so two words then...
In all seriousness this is a whisky that I think truly captures what it takes to be a great Highland malt with beautiful layers.
Park your nose in this thing and hang out for a while, because you’re going to have some... you guessed it — Fun! Fresh sliced apples and pears explodes on the nose with a very nice caramel and toffee sweetness at the back end holding everything together at the bottom. Back yourself away from your glass just a bit and a sweet zest of citrus and floral notes is there that you may not notice at first if you buried yourself in the sweetness out of the gate. A bit of air and time will change things around even more and allow this whisky to breathe and open up.
First sip yields all of that continued sweetness of apple and is accompanied by a very pleasant oak and light cinnamon spice character that rolls on to gorgeous darker fruits provided by the sherry cask finishing.
Surprisingly a bit of water will not kill this. Even though only bottled at 40% ABV one or two drops brings more of the floral aromas out on the nose and a bit more spice on the immediate taste. Some might be quick to say that they find this whisky simple, but I couldn’t disagree more. Take your time with this one at first. And then have fun!