1. Aberlour 12 Double Cask
The Aberlour 12 Double Cask is a single malt Scotch whisky from the Speyside region. It caught your attention with its wine-like color at the liquor store, particularly because you were interested in purchasing a sherry whisky at the time. This whisky has an alcohol content of 40% and comes in a 700ml bottle. The distillation and bottling processes take place in Scotland.
The Aberlour 12 Double Cask matures in two types of casks: American oak casks and sherry oak casks. Each whisky is aged for 12 years in its respective cask before being combined in a large vat, known as a “marrying tun,” for an additional 2 to 3 months before bottling. This process contributes to the whisky’s complexity and depth of flavor, making it a sought-after choice for those who appreciate the nuances of sherry-aged spirits.
2.Abelour
1) Abelour Story
Aberlour, in Gaelic, means “the mouth of the chattering stream” and was established in the village of Aberlour in the Speyside region by the River Spey by James Fleming in 1879. This single malt whisky distillery is renowned for its use of James Fleming’s signature on all its whisky labels, emphasizing its heritage and the founder’s commitment to quality.
The distillery benefits from its location near the Ben Rinnes limestone hills and peat area, using pure spring water that emerges at the Lour Glen. It insists on using barley sourced from within a 15-mile radius of the distillery, including some that is lightly peated, to craft its distinctive whiskies.
Now under the ownership of Pernod Ricard, a company that also owns the famous blended Scotch whisky, Ballantine’s, Aberlour has achieved significant acclaim. It is said to be the top-selling single malt whisky in France. The distillery utilizes Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon casks for aging its whiskies, contributing to the rich and complex flavors found across its range.
The entry-level lineup from Aberlour includes age statements of 12, 14, 16, and 18 years, as well as the A’bunadh, a highly regarded cask strength whisky. This portfolio showcases the distillery’s commitment to tradition, quality, and the art of whisky making.
2) Tasting Note
This review is based on a tasting of The Aberlour 12 Double Cask that has been open for about a month. The malt used is lightly peated, though personally, I was unable to detect much of the peat flavor during my tasting.
The color of the whisky resembles that of a rich barley tea, which is not particularly surprising for Scotch whisky, as it is common for caramel coloring to be added. The legs of the whisky are smooth.
On the nose, there’s a subtle hint of sherry, though it’s considerably weaker compared to the Glenfarclas CS I’ve tried before. I could also detect notes of vanilla, caramel, and a slight toasted bread aroma. There’s a nuttiness from the malt and a hint of citrus as well. However, when getting closer, there’s a sharpness, possibly from the alcohol, that hits the nose.
Tasting it, The Aberlour 12 Double Cask is spicy. This doesn’t seem to come from the alcohol strength but rather resembles the spiciness one might associate with certain spices. The influence of bourbon casks is apparent with the sweetness of caramel and vanilla, along with the dried fruit notes from the sherry.
The finish is quite long, with the same flavors detected on the palate being present, followed by a nuttiness that comes through at the end.
3) Highball
For making the highball, I started by filling a highball glass with ice to chill the glass. Then, I added The Aberlour 12 Double Cask to cool it down and carefully poured soda water over the ice to avoid too much agitation. Finally, I added two dashes of lemon syrup.
The result was a refreshing highball with a unique twist of spiciness. Compared to a highball I previously enjoyed made with Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, this one felt slightly lacking. The smoothness experienced when drinking it neat or the distinct characteristics of sherry seemed to be diminished in this concoction.
4) Product Information
Product Name: Aberlour 12 Double Cask
Manufacturer: Chivas Brothers Ltd
Ingredients : 100% Whisky
Alcohol Content: 40%
Volume: 700ml
Type of Food: Whisky
3. Overall Review
In summary, The Aberlour 12 Double Cask is a spicy yet sweet sherry whisky that I found quite appealing. It’s remarkably smooth when drunk neat, making it an easy and enjoyable drink.
However, when consumed as a highball, the sherry notes become diluted. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend it in a highball form for those seeking to fully appreciate the sherry characteristics.
The distinctiveness of this whisky lies in its spicy sherry profile, a trait I found quite unique and different from the typical sweet sherry whiskies. This contrast may contribute to its popularity in France, a country known for its culinary sophistication.
Despite enjoying the taste personally, I felt its market positioning was somewhat ambiguous. For those specifically looking for sherry-influenced whiskies, there are formidable contenders at a similar price point, such as Balvenie 12 Year DoubleWood, Macallan 12 Double Cask, and Glenfiddich 15 Year Old.