Review / Aberfeldy Red Wine Cask Collection - 15 years old & 18 years old

These whiskies are the latest new expressions to the Red Wine Cask Collection from the Perthshire distillery of Aberfeldy. The Aberfeldy 15 years old and 18 years old have been crafted by Stephanie Macleod, the Malt Master at Aberfeldy, and are the first in the series to feature wine casks from outside of France. The Red Wine Cask Collection was launched in 2019 and has seen annual releases since.

The Aberfeldy 15 years old has been finished in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques sourced from California's Napa Valley. The 18 years old has been finished in ex-Tuscan red wine barrels from Bolgheri in Italy. Both expressions are bottled at 43% ABV and are available in limited numbers, although the exact quantity of each has not been revealed.

Review / Aberfeldy 18 years old Côte Rôtie Finish

This new whisky is the third bottling in the French Red Wine Cask Collection from the Highland distillery of Aberfeldy. The series kicked off in 2019 with the 15 years old Pomerol Finish and was followed in 2020 by the 18 years old Pauillac Finish. This third release has been finished in Côte Rôtie wine barrels sourced by Stephanie Macleod, the Malt Master for Aberfeldy, from the famous Rhône Valley in France. The Côte Rôtie appelation is located in the northern Rhône and covers around 500 hectares. There are 60 vineyards with most growing the Syrah and Viognier grape varieties. The wines are known for their elegance and finesse with fruity and floral characteristics.