Aberlour 12 YO Non Chill Filtered

I haven't seen or heard of the 12 yo! Is the Aberlour 12 a new expression or did I just miss it on my radar?

Nice review!

Unlike the Ardbeg Uigeadail - the Aberlour 12 yr non-chill filtered whisky doesn't need water to tame the beast from within.

@CanadianNinja: the Aberlour 12 year-old Non-Chill Filtered is Aberlour's new 12 year-old expression. Not entirely sure whether it is intended to replace the older 12 year-old, chill filtered version (which is bottled at 43% as opposed to the new 48% bottling). The SAQ in Quebec carries both, while the LCBO only has the older version in stock and, according to my correspondence with the LCBO on the matter, has no plans to stock the newer one).

The LCBO is interested in profit, not stocking variety.

Example: they have a Gordon and Mcphail Bladnoch, the only Bladnoch available in North America, bottled at 43% for $140. The new owner sells 11 year old sherry matured Bladnoch bottled at 55% for about £40. Why can't they bring some of that in?

Go to Alberta and find the same spirits priced 30% lower than here ( or more), and variety that will amaze you.

That 26000 bottle that was recently stolen at an LCBO was priced at less than 23000 in Calgary...

I appreciated your review. To me, the 12NCF is more richly flavored than other double-matured whiskies that I have tried, like Balvenie Doublewood. As you noted, it has those strong sherry notes and also bourbon cask vanilla, apple and spice notes. Because of the higher abv (48%), I like to let it sit for a few minutes, but I have never had a bottle last me long enough to experience the full effects of oxidation!

About availability: I first read that it was going to be discontinued, which seemed strange since it was just introduced and has been very well received. I then read that it was going to be a "seasonal" expression, which seems more likely. In any case, it's not listed on the Aberlour website, either as part of the range or in the online whisky shop. If it really is a limited edition, it's probably worth bunkering a few.

It's funny, sherry casks are expensive, which would explain why the 12NCF costs a little more. Meanwhile Ardbeg, a distillery that I love, is selling limited editions without age statements at a much higher price. I'm a peat head, but if anything is worth "bunkering," it's probably the Aberlour 12NCF at 40-60$.

Having tasted the Aberlour 12 without chill filtering and at 48% abv, I start to wonder what Old Pulteney 12 would taste like with a "craft" presentation.

Yes, the OP12 would be nice at a higher ABV. Not sure if it's non chill filtered. My guess is that it is. At any rate, it would also be more expensive if it were NCF with a higher ABV. I, for one, would pay more for the chance to taste a cask strength 12 year.

To clarify, I suspect the 12 year is CF. Not sure though.