I have had a hard time figuring out where all my Aberfeldies and Auchentoshan's went, since there were three of each on my expectations list, and none in my cabinet. But then I found some handwritten notes when vacating in my cottage last week, so why not just get them out on the web as well. Only god knows why I started with Aberfeldy before Auchentoshan.
Aberfeldy 12yo 40% OB
One with a drawing of a squirrel on the label. I think this is one of a kind. Smells light orange color, adjusted by E's for sure. It smells peppery and spirity, oaky, grainy, even yeasty. The taste is sweet and fresh, vanilla and apple juice at first, before it turns spirity and oaky.
Had a small glimmer of glory on the palate, then it just died: 3
Aberfeldy 20yo 1990-2010 43% Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice
An older version, hopefully not over-oaked as the 12yo was very oaky. The color is light golden. It smells oaky and spirity, about the same as the 12yo, just a bit more fresh. The taste is sweet, again vanilla, nothing more really before it again turns spirity and oaky.
The tiniest hint of freshness makes this climb half a point more: 3.5
Aberfeldy 13yo 43% Master of Malt cask#7789
Will this be another one of those watered down, young single cask bottlings that could only be good if there was interest in worsening a reputation? I hope not. The color is white wine. It smells wheat, sweet, freshly baked buns, kind of like the smell I often find in confectionaries. Also some light grassy notes. The taste is rich and sweet, toffee, red paprika, bitter herbs, canned mushrooms, odd whisky.
Not a thrill, but its unusual character makes it more interesting: 4
McClellands NAS 40% Lowland
This one is said to be an Auchentoshan, please correct me if I'm wrong. The color is golden. It smells fresh, heather, hay, dried fish, pickles, a bit sour. The taste is sweet, honey, pear, kiwi, grapes, lots of sweet fruits. Little or no finish. Just by the taste alone I can hardly see this one coming from any other distillery than Auchentoshan.
Lighter than light, but enjoyable, typical triple distilled whisky: 5
Auchentoshan 15yo 1981-1996 43% Signatory Vintage cask#1145 btl.330/1950
The color is white wine, very light. It smells heather, grassy, floral, very light. I think this one really smells like some cheap women perfume. It's hard to recognize this whisky as a single malt scotch whisky, perhaps a blend could match this profile, or even an irish whisky, but this is way too light to get me interested, so far. The taste is nutty, mild, some floral notes again, and dandelion leaves. If you had a rabbit growing up, I'm sure you tried one yourself at some point). Also boiled broccoli and pecans. The aftertaste is short and peppery.
A pleasant surprise from SV once again, older SV's can be great: 6.5
Auchentoshan 12yo 1999-2011 57.9% Malts of Scotland
From a sherry Hogshead, and at this strength it should make for an interesting variety to those low strength versions I've had up until now. The color is dark copper. Seems to have gotten a lot of color in just 12 years. It smells fruity, plums and black pepper. A nice combo. Dark berries as well as more plums evolves after a while. The taste is sweet, ripe dark berries, dark chocolate, bitter greens, sweet at first, then very bitter. I think it needs some water. With added water it turns sweeter, cinnamon and lime rind appears, even oranges and dry red wine. Tartaric, that's the name.
A good example of Auchentoshan, shows huge potential: 6.5
Next tasting: #2 Classic Malts
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