Aultmore 14 Years Old 2001 73.71 A scene from Madeira (55.5%, SMWS, Refill Sherry Butt, 522 Bottles, 2015)
- Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
- Origin: Aultmore Distillery
- Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 73.71
- ABV: 55.5%
- Cost:£51.10
What they say:
14 Years Date Distilled: 24th September 2001 Cask Type: Refill Ex-Sherry Butt Region: Speyside Deveron
Description
The nose suggested sweet treats spread out on a wooden table – vanilla tablet, walnut fudge, coconut macaroons, custard creams and Garibaldi biscuits. The palate started out with mouth-flooding sweetness (apple strudel, raisins, dates and prunes) but then a spicy ginger, chilli heat kicked in – and seemed to out-last the sweetness. The reduced nose conjured up a scene from Madeira – painted boats on a pebble beach, old deck-chairs, honey cake and lemonade, with a flower market not far away. The palate now showed its lighter side, with cinnamon swirls and maple and pecan Danish pastries – but still enough to sustain our interest.
What I say:
Thanks to Ben from Bens Whisky for organising a share of this 14 Year Old SMWS Aultmore.
Colour:
Bright and refractive Sauternes gold (4/20), medium-fine tears leave long fine legs
Nose:
Honeyed sweetness, hay and grass cuttings, crisp green Granny Smith apples, heather honey, peach, pear, foam banana sweeties, cereal barley, very sweet – golden syrup, a touch of dry powdery spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, butterscotch fudge and tablet
Taste:
Sweet, stewed fruits, apple, pear, apple pie with cinnamon, white pepper – quite hot, viscous, honey and golden syrup, bananas in chilli, sweet & spicy.
Finish:
Medium, a sweetness persist as the spice subside, honey with a touch of chilli or thai sweet chilli sauce, stewed fruits – apple & pear.
Overall:
Great honeyed sweetness to this one and lots of distillery character/spirit nature in here too but comes with a lot of extra spice this one. Manages to carry the spices well due to the depth of sweetness, a drop or two of water dissolves away the spice and leave beautiful baked apple strudel with honey, raisins and dates – actually much better with a drop of water!
Score: 85/100
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