ABERFELDY 1998 BYO Single cask.

Aberfeldy Distillery was founded by John Dewar & Sons, Ltd. in 1896, and opened in 1898. The distillery is located on the eastern outskirts of Aberfeldy, on the southern bank of the upper Tay.  The distillery relies on the fresh water from the  Pitilie Burn, which runs alongside the distillery. Aberfeldy is the only distillery in Scotland to use these waters.

The area contains historical landmarks, such as Kenmore Bridge. This was built by the 3rd Earl in 1774 and the view from it was the inspiration for Robert Burns’s poem on the chimney piece of the Kenmore Inn.

In 1972 the distillery was enlarged, and the old stills were replaced by four new steam heated stills.  In 1999 the Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt brand was introduced. In 2000, the Earl of Elgin opened “Dewar’s World of Whisky” at the Aberfeldy Distillery. Today the distillery is a thriving attraction for the many visitors to the area and one attraction is the opportunity to BYO whisky from one of two casks..

Today’s review is from one of those casks, a 1998 single bourbon matured whisky that has then been further matured in a sherry cask for about 2 years.  This cask is now No135 and this sample was taken on the 30-5-16. The abv is 55.2%, NCF and is natural colour..

 

Nose.. This has taken on a lot of sherry influence, some nice dark fruits and spicy notes, stewed apples and poached pear, some plum and apricots, dates and a little dark chocolate.. Subtle toffee and sugar coated almonds with a slight hint of oak in the background.

 

Palate.. A lot more spice on the tongue, dried fruits and soft pear, honey with a twist of citrus, chocolate and dark coffee balances it out before toffee and caramel notes pop up.. A little oak sits in the background with a hint of burnt sugar.

 

Finish.. Long and oaky..

 

Thoughts.. Lovely.. This is how good Aberfeldy can be.. Up the Abv and wow you have a fantastic whisky that makes you sit up and notice.. It does not need water everything is already there, it does not overpower your senses and it is so easy to drink.. More like this please !!