Aberfeldy 1995 G&M 24-Year
52.0% ABV - Highlands, Scotland
Nose: Granny Smith apples, white wine, rose petals, straw grass, green pepper, vanilla and celery root.
Taste: Ripe apples in an orchard with the sun shining right after rain. White pepper and sour candy.
Finish: Sweet honey, fruits, and spice with a light bitterness.
Nearly every other review on this website is for a bottle that I have bought and for a bottle that I’ve had at least a few drams from. This Aberfeldy before me probably only has a few drams left and that’s how I received it! You might have guessed but, yes, there is the proverbial heel of a whisky bottle. Every year, two of the local whisky clubs get together for a big buffet dinner and all of the heels from the tastings throughout the year are raffled off. My lucky number was pulled for this bottle of 24 year old Aberfeldy. (For those uncertain, a heel is the term used for a bottle of whisky that has about 3-4 pours left.)
I have not owned a bottle of Aberfeldy before—they generally are not to my taste preferences—so this is a really cool opporunity to be reviewing one. Further to its cool factor, Aberfeldy is very commonly aged in ex-Sherry barrels while this one here is fully matured in ex-American Oak.
Some bottles of whisky have a really defining characteristic that you could look at a flavour wheel and think, "A-ha! This is the definition of xyz." And, in this case, that xyz is apples—it is sooo apple-y. It reminds me of a Glenlivet or Glenfiddich… two whiskies of which I tend to taste a lot of fresh apple.
This is a bottle I wouldn’t have bought, and I am so thankful that I was able to taste it. Well, not only taste it, but sit down and spend some time swirling the flavours about and having a thoughtful malt moment with it.
Details: Bottled April 9, 2019. 220 Bottles. Batch 19/018. Refill American Hogshead.
Tasting Notes (Official): Aromas of baked apple and creamy vanilla combine with a refined floral edge. Thick and smooth; mouth-watering chilli flavours open into hints of fresh-cut grass. An elegant fruity finish.
Tasted 9 November 2023. (Posted 5 February 2024.)
