Aberfeldy 18

Thanks to /u/smoked_herring for this dram.

So, back to Aberfeldy 18 after moving some things aside! Why? Because they have a hipster based label and I need to keep reviewing them.

Aberfeldy 18 is a travel retail version, coming in a 1L size and enticing you to buy alcohol before you’ve had your morning coffee and after you’ve had your morning strip search by a complete stranger.

That’s called a “Malay Handshake” in other parts of the country.

Luckily you and I can now purchase this product without having to go through multiple levels of security. As it bares repeating multiple times, the Travel Retail space is usually not a friendly one, with whiskies that are rare for a reason.

That said, I’d certainly be remiss to not mention some good has come from the travel retail, and sometimes a diamond comes out of the rough.

And no, I’m not talking about my time as a diamond mule.

So we have to ask ourselves: If Aberfeldy 18 made it out of the travel retail, is is because it’s better than that space? The 21 year was certainly tasty, so let’s see how this one does, shall we?

Price: N/A at the LCBO

Region: Highland

Abv: 40%

Colour: 5Y 8/8

Nose: Lemon pudding, caramel, ginger, lime gelatin, grape

Nice amount of citrus here. It’s developed nicely over the years, so it’s not just one note. Lots of sweetness to it.

It’s a lighter nose, so it takes awhile. I think the lower Abv. is hiding some things, as every time I seem to pick up something, it lingers out the door.

Taste: Lemon yogurt, caramel, brine, wood

Again, nicely developed citrus. Ties the taste to the nose.

Other than that? Pretty generic, like the dorky short white sidekick in a comedy. I’m sure it’ll get it’s own wacky, underdeveloped female in the end though.

Finish: Caramel, salt, lime, canned mandarins, oak, ginger

Salt and caramel works here. However this is brutally short, with only a little oak lingering at the end. It’s most memorable note is canned mandarins, and really, that was a treat for me as a kid because I wouldn’t eat salad.

Conclusion: Maybe this should go back to the travel retail space. Or maybe they should look into some finishes. Honestly wasn’t too impressed, and it’s the weakest Aberfeldy I’ve had.

Overall this is citrus and little else. Sure, there’s something that went on, but not enough. I get why it went where it went, however I think the label and age statement have carried it long enough.

Time to stick it back up there in the Travel Retail, and let someone else mule it this time.

71/100

Scotch review #724, Highland review #119, Whisky Network review #1198