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KWM 2020 Whisky Calendar Day 7: Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

Posted on November 7, 2021

by Evan

The end of the first week in the 2020 KWM Whisky Calendar is upon us! Time to both celebrate and lament its passing with today's bottle: the Aberfeldy 12 Year Old!

We talked a wee bit about the Last Great Malts of Scotland whisky lineup on Day Two of this year's Whisky Calendar with the Craigellachie 13 Year Old. Today we are back at it with Aberfeldy, which is another distillery in the Bacardi/Dewar's portfolio.

Unlike Craigellachie, Aberfeldy Single Malt actually had a presence before The Last Great Malts line was launched in 2014, though its range and look was given an overhaul at that time, introducing us to the fairly iconic Aberfeldy labels that are showcased now. Sales benefited from this revamp tremendously. Aberfeldy sells 5 bottles of Single Malt Scotch for every single bottle of Speyburn sold.

Aberfeldy Distillery resides in the Southern Highlands by the River Tay, just on the outskirts of a town that shares its name. It's nearest neighbours are the Edradour and Blair Athol Distilleries to the East in Pitlochry, and the Glenturret and Strathearn distilleries to the South near Perth.

The site where Aberfeldy sits held a brewery before the sons of John Dewar purchased the property and installed stills in 1896. Purpose-built for use in the Dewar family's Blended Scotch Whiskies, Aberfeldy malt has been the core that much of the Dewar's range ever since it's founding.

The Aberfeldy Single Malt core range contains a 21 Year Old that has been a fan favourite for years, and a well-priced and well-regarded 16 Year Old as well. The range begins with the Aberfeldy 12 Year Old, which we are tasting today. How does it hold up? TIme to give it a go!



Aberfeldy 12 Year Old - 40%

Also available in 50ml mini bottles

Evan's Tasting Note

Nose: Honey, brown sugar, fresh malt, Golden Grahams cereal, chai tea latte, waxy fruits, sliced strawberries,  grapefruit peel, chocolate fudge, and... a touch of pine smoke?

Palate: Soft, warming smoke again. Lemon meringue in a graham cracker pie crust, honey roasted almonds, a mojito-like mix of citrus and mint, and a dash of chai and cream once more.

Finish: Chocolate chips and a touch of oak, plus soothing on the throat like you just popped a Lemon and Honey Lozenge.

Comment: I do get the slightest smoke in this bottling and it makes it all very intriguing. The Aberfeldy 12 Year is a solid single malt for the price - but I do wish it was bottled at higher than 40%.

There you have it, Day Seven gives us another solid whisky from the Bacardi/Dewar's stable. Now we just have to wait and see what Day Eight will present!

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Twitter and Instagram: @sagelikefool

This entry was posted in Store, Whisky, Tastings, KWM Whisky Calendar 2020, Whisky Calendars

 

 

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