Aberfeldy 12 Review
Distiller: Aberfeldy. ABV: 40% Age: 12 years. Region: Highlands. Price: $50.
With this spectacular shot from our Instagram friend @scotch_doc, our look at John Dewar & Sons’ Last Great Malts lineup continues.
This dram has a close family resemblance to another Last Great Malts release we recently reviewed, the Royal Brackla 12. (Craigellachie, Aultmore, and The Deveron complete the lineup.) Like the Brackla, this Aberfeldy is an immediately appealing, easy-drinking dram with a classic Speyside profile–though the Aberfeldy’s actually a Highland–plus a little something extra. An unexpected heft and meatiness for its mere 12 years and 40% ABV.
Golden baked fruits and orange on the nose, plus…chicken barbecue? Pound cake with whipped cream, topped with raspberries and blackberries. Palate has more baked apple, with a tasty dose of clove and cinnamon. Orange tea bridges to the finish, which has a nice balance of sweetness, spice, and tannins. A touch of fresh leather at the end.
An irreproachable, satisfying first dram of the night, any night–like the Royal Brackla 12. The only objection to these two might be what the ever-eloquent Mark of Malt-Review.com said (referring to the Brackla): “It’s all very Duke and Duchess of Cambridge…no risk-taking as of yet. No shivers down the spine.”
True, but I finish each dram with a smile. Cheers, friends! -BO
Buy Aberfeldy Whisky online at Mash + Grape
The distiller kindly shared a sample for review. As always, our opinions are 100% our own.
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One thought on “Aberfeldy 12 Review”
Every time I open this to pour a dram, I get a quick sherry nose, but it disappears at first sip.
Where is the sherry cask? Yes, it is smooth and elegant, some vanilla, but no sultana finish. Don’t get me wrong, not every 12 yr old needs to be as raisin-y as the Tomatin 12, or Arran 14, but this does not deliver what it promises. Seems more like an American or French Oak that takes up the nose. Not worth the price….the ‘Fine’ oak available only at North American duty-free shops would be the better option