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Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured

Punching above its weight

2 886

@OdysseusUnboundReview by @OdysseusUnbound

12th Sep 2017

0

Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured
  • Nose
    21
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    20
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    86

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This is an exerpt of a blog post I wrote awhile back. I can't believe I never shared it here

If you're close to my age, you undoubtedly remember the Nintendo game "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out". The premise was fairly simple; you played as "Little Mac", a diminutive yet plucky young pugilist who was determined to be a champion. Under the tutelage of trainer Jerome "Doc" Louis, you fought your way through the ranks, challenging boxers from three different circuits until you faced the ultimate champion: Kid Dynamite himself, "Iron" Mike Tyson. The game even included an inspiring 1980s training montage each time the player beat a circuit champion. Aside from the not-so-subtle racism, it was a great game.

So why am I waxing nostalgic over a video game? Glad you asked. Moderately-priced single malt scotch or "entry-level" malts remind me of the four foot seven, one hundred and seven pound Little Mac. People underestimate them, pass them by in favour of pricier offerings, mistakenly believing that price equals quality. This could not be further from the truth. There are some pricey whiskies that fail to impress just as there are moderately-priced whiskies that punch well above their weight, just like Little Mac. How does Aberlour 12 Year Old do this? Let's see...

Tasting Notes

Aberlour 12 Year Old is bottled at a moderate 40% ABV (the bottle I had. I've seen some listed at 43%), but I still recommend you let it sit in your glass for 10 minutes or so to let it open up and breathe. Just do it. You'll thank me later.

  • Nose (undiluted): Cinnamon, toffee, dried dark fruits,vanilla, oak, apple, it smells like Christmas.
  • Palate (undiluted): Very rich mouthfeel, sherry, buttery toffee, cinnamon, vanilla, raisins, nutmeg, brown sugar, cherry notes, very moreish
  • Finish: Medium length, sweet vanilla, toffee, a little spicy nutmeg with hints of chocolate cherries

I don't recommend adding water to this whisky. Doing so allows a bit more fruitiness to come through, but Aberlour 12 isn't bold enough to require water. Diluting tends to tone down the richness a bit, and the richness is one of the things I love best about this whisky. But hey, do what you like.

Aberlour 12 Year Old sells for about $65 here in Ontario. That's not a lot of money for a scotch this good. This malt easily outperforms many whiskies that sell for $20 to $30 more. Their ten year-old is very good, but this twelve is only about three bucks more and I find the difference in flavour and complexity striking. Your mileage may vary. I highly recommend this to "noobs" and veterans alike. A pleaser for all palates.

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8 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

How would this rate next to say the Benromach 10? That's about the same price and very flavourful.

I had bought a bottle of this in 2011 when it was at 43%. Never gotaround to opening it so passed it along to someone who would appreciate it more.

I've tried the 10,12,16 and 18 and found them weak (not anaemic though maybe less red) next to A'Bunadh.

Nowadays I wonder if I might appreciate them more, as my palate develops.

I have a sample of the 12 non-chill filtered, I may have to give it a go...

7 years ago 0

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@Nozinan Benromach 10, no contest. I hear the non-chill-filtered 12 is much better than the double matured 12 though.

7 years ago 0

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

@Nozinan They have totally different flavour profiles. I believe I rated Benromach 10 two points higher than this one. And I might even rate Benromach a point or two higher were I to review it today. Since being opened for about 6 months, Benromach's peaty character has become more pronounced. I've seen Aberlour 12 called "thin" here a few times. That was not at all my experience. It was quite rich and complex. Perhaps the bottle I reviewed was a good one. Maybe the Master Blender was "liberated from the shackles" of the 12 Year Old age statement and was allowed to add some older whisky to the mix. smirk

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@OdysseusUnbound Is the bottle opaque? no transparency there.

Seriously, I think I need to try some of these lower proof whiskies to see if I can now appreciate them.

7 years ago 0

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

The 12 NCF also has much less water. It's bottled at 48% ABV.

If I ever buy an Aberlour again, it'll be that 12 NCF.

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

I've yet to try an Aberlour I did not like! The 12 is good, 16 is very good, I've got an 18 in the cupboard waiting to be opened and the A'bunadh... Well we all know about that one don't we.

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

@Nozinan The bottle was crystal clear ! Total transparency. Finally !!

7 years ago 2Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood commented

@OdysseusUnbound Nice review, it's good to see some of the under-appreciated malts get some love. If you like the profile, the Aberlour core range is very nice, I am always surprised after I take a break from it how enjoyable they can be, yes even at low strength. The 12 is a solid example of this. That said I am definitely curious about trying that Unchillfiltered version.

7 years ago 2Who liked this?