I previously wrote that the Bacardi’s Dewar’s corporation seemed to have little interest in the single malt market, thus leaving all of the group’s single malt distilleries (Aultmore, Craigellachie, Macduff, Aberfeldy and Royal Brackla) with no regularly sold core expressions except for Aberfeldy. While Aultmore was still owned by Guiness (before the formation of Diageo, which forced the sale of Dewar’s to Bacardi), an official Flora & Fauna expression was released, as was a Rare Malts Selection 21 year old in 1995. Under Bacardi, a 12 year old official bottling was released in 2004, which dissipated leaving no trace).
Photo Credit: whisky-guide.de
That has all changed now, as Bacardi detailed its plans to bottle core and limited expressions from all its single malt distilleries all of which will be fully age stated and be free of artificial coloring. The planned Aultmore releases will be non chill filtered and will include a 12 and and a 25 year old core expressions, as well as a 21 year old travel retail. Dewar’s will be exhibiting at The Whisky Show in London in October, and I hope to have tasting notes of these new expressions for you from the show.
In the meantime, I have this SMWS expression to review, and I’ll be posting a note about the most controversy stirring Aultmore XO by Douglas Laing. With no further ado, lets get to the majestically old and dignified Aultmore 24 at hand.
Aultmore 24 Year Old Single Cask – SMWS 73.61 – Distilled 31.5.1989 (57.2% ABV, NCF, NC)
Appearance: Copper with very slow forming, slow dripping thin legs. High alcohol and lots of flavor expected there.
Nose: Red sweet wine, white raisins, oak, touch of salt, dark brown sugar over oatmeal, nutmeg, clove and some cinnamon bark, toasting sugared nut mix. Water brings out some acerbic notes. The nose suggests an non first filled barrel.
Palate: Very spicy with lots of pepper, with sherry evidenced. Cloves and spice notes appear after a wave of sweetness subsides.
Linger: Very long with sweet sherry, spices – lots of clove and nutmeg – with cranberries and yet more sweet spices remaining forever.
Conclusion
There are some whiskies that just take sherry so well, and Aultmore is one of them. This sherried expression is a perfect example of the genre, and I hope the new expressions heading to the stores will be sherry matured as well.
I wish to thank Yoav of the Whisky Gospel blog for sharing this dram. Slainte!