Aberlour 20 Years Old 1991 Craigleith (46%, Lockett Bros, Bourbon HH #101284, 166 Bottles, 2012)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Aberlour Distillery
• Bottling: Lockett Bros
• ABV: 46%
• Cost: £50 for 70cl
• Score: 85/100

What they say:

‘Craigleith’ Lockett Bros bottling (166 bottle outturn) of 20 year old Aberlour (1991) Bourbon hogshead cask No.101284, Distilled 17/09/1991, Bottled 12/04/2012

What I say:

Bought as I am a massive Aberlour fan and this was the first 1. independently bottled, 2. Old and 3. Non-sherry or part-sherry matured Aberlour I had come across…

Colour:

Light Gold

Nose:

Floral, very gentle rose/rosaceae, apple blossom, apples, vanilla custard, apple pie & custard, cereal malted barley, heathery honey and nutty

Taste:

Apples, Calvados and cider apple, cereal malted barley, shortcrust pastry, icing sugar, smooth and sweet honey and oaky wood

Finish:

Medium/long, sweet and refreshing apples

Would I buy it again:

Possibly not, for now 1 bottle seems to be enough and is lasting me quite a while. This is something I like to go to occasionally when I want something un-fussy and slightly contemplative. With the glut of other whisky to taste this has languished somewhat at the back of the whisky hutch, perhaps spending the time to review it properly will bring it back to my full-time attention. Then again it is too good to session drink, maybe I will eke it out for as long as I can and enjoy it when I’m feeling a bit thinky. After all everyone needs a favourite, I’m a little spoiled between Aberlour, Old Pulteney & Laphroaig right now – please come back again later… x