This whisky is the latest bottling in the Red Wine Cask Collection from the Highland distillery of Aberfeldy. The Aberfeldy 18 years old has been finished in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks from the Napa Valley in California. The series, which launched in 2019, showcases some of the finest wine barrels from wineries around the world. This new release has been created by Stephanie Macleod, the Malt Master at Aberfeldy. The Aberfeldy 18 years old limited edition is bottled at 43% ABV and is available in selected global markets including France, Germany, the UK and USA. A bottle will cost £115/ $US150.
Aberfeldy is located in the village of Aberfeldy in the southern Highlands. It is owned by John Dewar & Sons, a subsidiary of the Bacardi group. The distillery is engrained in the history of the Dewar's blended Scotch brand - it was founded and built by John and Tommy Dewar in 1896 to make single malt for their popular White Label. Dewar's White Label remains one of the world's best selling blends with a particular stronghold in America. The distillery has a current annual production capacity of 3.5 million and is also home to the recently revamped Dewar's World of Whisky visitor experience.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is a deep golden amber and the nose is full of sweet and fruity aromas. Golden syrup, red fruit jam and heather honey lead the way and are followed by further aromas of stewed apple and poached pear. There are also hints of caramel, milk chocolate and warming baking spices - think of cinnamon, clove and mace in particular.
On the palate, this whisky is bold and vibrant with some lovely juicy tropical fruit coming first. These are reminiscent of over ripe pineapple and apricot. Then comes a definitive sweetness, which is led by the golden syrup and floral heather honey from the nose. Underneath sits the milk chocolate note, caramel and jammy red fruits - these are reminiscent of berry compote and strawberry jam.
The soft green fruits come through well also. Notes of cooked apple with a pinch of cinnamon and poached pear with butterscotch sauce and clove add a lovely depth and softness to the whisky. These are accentuated by warming spices that bind everything together. More cinnamon and clove come through, as does some mace, all-spice and hints of pink peppercorn and oak.
The finish becomes increasingly dry and warming. The juiciness, fruitiness and sweetness slowly fade to leave the wine cask oak influence to dominate. The tannins from the red wine really come through now and grip the tastebuds. Late notes of cocoa powder and plum tart also evolve.
What's The Verdict?
This is another fine addition to Aberfeldy's Red Wine Cask Collection. The increased age has elevated it above some of the previous releases that we have sampled. The balance between sweetness, fruitiness and spice is very good and makes for an enjoyable and decadent feeling whisky. The only slight negative is that it could maybe have been put at 46% ABV to give even more body and grip, but we are splitting hairs. Well worth a try if you get the opportunity.
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