Aberlour 18 Year Old

First Vapor: Extinguishing smoke of a cherry-vanilla candle.

Nose: Butterscotch is most apparent at first. Given several minutes, rich marzipan and orange zest come to dominate for the main theme. Repeated inhaling brings a background of hazy vanilla with red grape flesh.

Palate: Sweet orange & strawberry entrance, becoming nutmeg-y orange rind with honey and plum, and fading to vanilla milk with red apple.

Finish: Simultaneous feeling of meaty orange and toffee cereal with cream. Medium length and never getting too bitter.

A wonderful treat and a worthwhile big step up from the 10 in terms of both smoothness and richness. (If the 10 is a "primer", this could be the "Prime".) Sweet in character but never getting too sweet, the flavors nearly meet my expectations for such a sherry treated malt. From this shade of a whisky, I could only ask for more vanilla and pitted fruit character on the palate (apricot or cherry).