Aberlour SMWS 54.75 Refined, refreshing and redolent

Another sample sent to me by @wierdo from the SMWS. This one 'matured for most of it's life in a refill bourbon cask and then moved to a heavily charred hogshead for the last couple of years.' - unashamedly stolen from his review :)

I opened the sample a while back and had a little taste then almost forgot about it until I had a little poke around my shelves earlier. I've added a touch of water to a 15 or so ml pour.

Nose - Gingery and peppery with some creamy vanilla and a touch of dried coconut. Some stone fruits too like peach and apricot.

Taste - Quite a fizzy and creamy palate which gives lots of the vanilla upfront, then the fruits then the spice.

Finish - Fairly long, going sour and dry with peppery tannins and some of the fruits clinging on.

Hmm. Very interesting to try a non-sherried Aberlour and I think I like it. It does feel like it's missing the red apple note I get in other Aberlours but, taking this on its own merits, it does work; even if it comes across as perhaps a little one-dimensional. There's also a hint of alcohol on this that doesnt quite fade away on the nose or palate, which belies its 16 years.