This Aberfeldy is different. Good different? Who knows!
There are quite a lot of distilleries that have ventured into wine cask series over the years. Aberfeldy joins the fold and does not do that lightly. Today we taste an expression that was matured for no less than 18 years before being transferred to a wine cask for additional flavours. Old school whisky enthusiasts (like myself, aka old farts) still have trouble embracing the growing influence of wine maturation on whisky. There is a whole generation out there that does not know a spectrum without wine influenced whisky. As always, we find each other in the middle. And me? Well, I keep on trying these products, because I remember the time even a simple finish in a more traditional cask like sherry was blasphemous! Can you imagine that?
Aberfeldy 18 years old – Wine Cask Series, bottled at 46 % bv
First things first: So, an 18 years old Aberfeldy that was finished in Sangiovese Red Wine casks. This is batch 2924/A, for those keeping count. Released in 2024. Let’s see how this blue grape from the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany plays with Perthshire malt.
Upon Sipping: Well, the wine is very, very present on the nose, no mistaking with that. Heavy fruit, lots of darkness, like walking in a so densely overgrown orchard that you cannot even see the sky. For now, I have to say it is indeed a (dreaded) winesky, but the malt is strong, I have to admit. There is a strong hint of warm bread in the background, showing us the 18 years of quiet maturation stood up to a final infusion of wine terror. This Aberfeldy offers a lot of fragrance, and is certainly not a boring experience. Then a sip … juicy red fruit covers the tongue. You are going to need a sweet tooth to fully enjoy this. Cherries, strawberries, blueberries, all leaning towards a sour hint nearing the finish. This finish itself has quite a kick, and then goes down on a gulf of tannins. And still, there is an incredible balance to be found in this Aberfeldy. If you like your whisky sweet with hints of sour berries, this could well be for you. While I think the finish is a tad harsh, if does give you a fulfilling feeling. The tannins are too much for me, but it stays away from going too far.
Word to the Wise: With years and years of wine influenced single malt whisky hitting the market, I think it is fair to say that some producers are starting to understand that a lot can be won with balance. This Aberfeldy walks a fine line between tumbling into the abyss and staying well alive. Done right, wine casks can offer something different. This Aberfeldy has it quite right.
Score: 83 points.