Aberlour 17 Year Old 1995 Anam na h-Alba

This Aberlour would look good in a line up of a’bunadh with such a high strength. But this 17 Year Old Speysider was matured on a bourbon hogshead. The German Anam na h-Alba, meaning the Soul of Scotland, bottled it at 60,6% ABV. The driving force behind this Indie is Tom Skworonek, who started cask sharing and bottling his own about a year ago.

The nose is light and fresh, on white fruit like apples and pears, but also gooseberries and a soft, exotic touch of peach. A hefty helping of caramel makes it honeysweet and slightly creamy. Somethink metallic as well, as if it was poured from a can. A light touch of liquorice and, finally, some agrum.

Despite the high ABV, it smoothly glides over the tastebuds. Very fruity with loads of agrum, now, but also violets (the purple candy). Caramel again with mild spices: liquorice, ginger, pepper. Does not need water at all, but bears it easily. It will then turn a nice bittersweet as if infused with grapefruit and tonic.

The finish is medium in length (I had expected it to be much longer with such an ABV) and dies on a bittersweet note.

I would compare it with the Aberlour 16 Year Old Mac Bolle, but at cask strength. Suspiciously quaffable. Card players whisky. Dram 242 (thanks for the sample) sells it for 73 EUR.