Aberlour 21-year-old whic

Overall rating: 87.09/100
votes: 34

Category: Single Malt
Distillery: Aberlour
Bottler: whic - Whiskycircle (whic)
Bottling serie: Architecture of Taste
Bottled: 2018
Stated Age: 21 years old
Casktype: Ex-Bourbon Hogshead
Number of bottles: 122
Strength: 59.8 % Vol.
Size: 700 ml
Added on: 14 Jul 2018 4:01 pm by kaeuflin

Average value

€ 139,90

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Whisky Reviews for Aberlour 21-year-old whic

10 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 87.09 points

hs305 scored this whisky 88 points
16 Aug 2018 9:53 pm
[August, 2018] A quick review of a sample because it is always a pleasure to have a "naked" (unsherried) Aberlour...

...and the pleasure continues: This is a flawless and very interesting dram to explore (when neat) and dangerously quaffable (when reduced to drinking strength). I never got disappointed by a "naked" Aberlour (so far)...

Nose

88 88

The colour is old gold and the nose needs quite some time to fully enfold but then it offers a subtle and delicate profile of rather unusual fruits (like quinces or melons), floral aromas, some honey and a chalky note. Nicely balanced but rather shy with the neat dram. After some reduction more malty flavours are released and the mineralic/chalky side gets stronger. I like the neat dram better for nosing.

Taste

89 89

The taste is fruity (now rather citric) and honeyed with some spices (peppers, nutmeg) and a tobacco-like bitter flavour. Not too bad - would the Aussies state. But it certainly cries for water and the reduced dram gets smoother and more approachable with the tobacco turning into nice wooden flavours and both the fruits and spices growing stronger. There are even some hints of berries now. No flaw that I can find, this is very quaffable when reduced to about 46% abv (but I recommend to try it neat first).

Finish

87 87

The whisky arrives a little hot in the mouth (no wonder at close to 60% abv) but it nicely coats it with a peppery feeling. No distracting moments here. The finish is rather short but it increases in length when the dram gets reduced. No bitter or drying moments but no new impressions either.
Dramned! scored this whisky 87 points
01 Aug 2018 4:41 pm
The complete tasting with photos and information can be found here: https://dramned.blog/2018/08/01/aberlour-21-whic-598/

Nose

It starts with sweet blossom honey, followed by many ripe fruits, especially juicy lemons and honeydew melon, very ripe pears and mirabelles and sweet and tart quince. A full load of vanilla steers the whole direction compote. The beautiful Muscovado sugar, which is so typical of the dark A'bunadhs, I find here again, in conjunction with the ripe lemons, the salivary glands are driven to high performance.
The bright straw-yellow color suggests lightness, but here everything is very voluminous, fat and oily. The wood is rather mild and restrained in the nose, appears in the form of beautiful roasted aromas, which are reminiscent of cocoa and espresso. The strong alcohol is very well integrated, it does not sting and appears slightly cooling in appearance.

Taste

The tongue, flooded with anticipation, expects sweetness - and will not disappoint. Spicy wildflower honey with many herbs spreads oily and heavy in the whole mouth, everything again very full and aromatic, ripe mangos and papaya, coconut, ripe pineapple and walnuts make here a charming potpourri from the well-stocked fruit counter. The oak barrel is much more dominant here than in the nose. Strong spicy wood flavors prepare the sweet spectacle a quick and always drier end, tart dark chocolate takes over the helm. The alcohol is becoming increasingly warmer and brings the flavors even clearer to the fore - and especially the oak.

Finish

Even in the medium-long finish, the oak wood plays between the honey-sweet fruits in the foreground and ensures a dry-bitter aftertaste with a little sweet anise.
pianoman scored this whisky 82 points
16 Jun 2019 8:17 pm
Nose

Pungent, slightly mineral. Dry earth, menthol. Hot stone wall, sand. Behind it a little pear and vanilla.

Taste

Grassy, dry. Toast with bright honey. Cornflakes. Pepper. Apple Cake. Bitter lemon, a hint of lavender.
malthead-sven scored this whisky 82 points
26 Jan 2019 1:31 am
I already had several independent Aberlours from bourbon barrels and I have to realize again that sherry casks usually fit better with this spirit.

Nose

The 59.8% pull also by far from the glass directly into the nose, very fresh, after a short time he opens up: green gummy bears, center shock gum, a sour sweet note that makes fun, later dominated sweet candy

Taste

really brutal, needs water, a lot even, then it is balanced in the mouth with a penchant for bitterness

Finish

medium long, dry, slightly pungent, I miss the sweetness here now.
Dottore scored this whisky 85 points
27 Dec 2018 10:03 am

BLIND TASTING

N: Very sweet, especially honey, slightly burnt sugar, quince jelly, some pineapple and apple. In the background slightly flowery, the sweet dominates. Great nose!
M: In the mouth something bothers me the very bitter and bitter notes. In addition, I find quite a bit of alcohol, which I had hardly noticed in the nose. With the second sip it becomes a bit rounder, sweeter and spicier. I liked the nose a lot better
A: Pretty long, also here for me almost unpleasantly peppery and slightly bitter. Sounds then from the direction of tobacco, anise and cocoa.

Conclusion: Unround malt with a great nose, the pepperiness and sharpness disturb me today a bit. Do I have to give a second chance soon? 85 points
Whisky-Connaisseur did not rate this whisky
09 Sep 2018 11:10 am
This new expression from Whic is a completely different Aberlour. Not, as is usually the case, matured or finished in sherry casks, but this time from a pure ex-Bourbon hogshead. And this is reflected in a wonderfully exotic fruit composition that is in good balance with spices, oak flavours and even some tobacco notes. The high alcohol content is of course noticeable, but with a few drops of water, this 21 year old Aberlour becomes a creamy oily fruit treat. Truly a summer whisky.

https://www.whisky-connaisseur.de/2018/07/20/aberlour-21yo-2018-whic-architecture-of-taste/

Nose

Clean and fresh on the nose with delicate notes of yellow fruits - peaches, apricots, pineapple and subtle ripe apples. Flavours of vanilla and honey with tender lemon curd and a hint of mint arrive, followed by a slightly floral note. The high alcohol content is noticeable but not pungent at all.

Taste

Bold, rich and sweet on the palate with lots of peaches, apricots, mango and pineapple. Very exotic. This is complemented by a warming spiciness of white pepper, oak and candied ginger, support by an alcoholic bite. Becomes drier with a touch of espresso notes, tobacco leaves and a not unpleasant hint of damped wood towards the finish. Significantly more spice with a second sip.

Finish

The finish is long, lingering sweet and fruity. Notes of malted barley with acacia honey, spiced oak and a touch of bitter orange on the tail.

With water: There's more yellow fruit coming through with a splash of water, supported by oak spice and white pepper. Creamy even oily on the palate with lots of fruit, nicely balanced with oak, ginger and pepper. The alcohol is significantly tamed. The finish is medium to long with creamy notes of vanilla and honey, followed by dry oak and hints of tobacco leaves.
Hvdree scored this whisky 88 points
19 Aug 2018 3:12 pm
Nose

88 88

Taste

88 88

Finish

87 87
mr_barleycorn scored this whisky 86 points
21 Jul 2018 10:46 pm
The complete review is available on mrbarleycorn.com

Nose

Lemon and fresh malt hits my nose, the alcohol content is present, but not unpleasant and contributes to the freshness. This is accompanied by a variety of bright fruits such as peach, light grapes, pears and apricots. In addition, there is a quite significant sweetness, honey, malt and some fresh cereals. With water, the Aberlour opens again and the fruity aromas are intensified, to vernetz nutmeg, vanilla and a slightly musty note.

Taste

On the tongue, the whisky is extremely oily, almost waxy. I have to think a little bit about Craigellachie 17. The alcohol is undiluted but a little too intense. Therefore, I dilute with a few drops of water. Now there is a great honey-sweetness, again a fruit salad of mainly light fruits, citrus notes, vanilla, pear skin, burnt caramel, some mint, and candied ginger. This slight mustiness, which I have already heard in the nose is also back.

Finish

Long, sweet and bitter. In addition beautiful oak spice, pepper and herbs.
Whisky-Connaisseur did not rate this whisky
20 Jul 2018 1:30 pm
This new expression from Whic is a completely different Aberlour. Not, as is usually the case, matured or finished in sherry casks, but this time from a pure ex-Bourbon hogshead. And this is reflected in a wonderfully exotic fruit composition that is in good balance with spices, oak flavours and even some tobacco notes. The high alcohol content is of course noticeable, but with a few drops of water, this 21 year old Aberlour becomes a creamy oily fruit treat. Truly a summer whisky.

I thank Leonie and Arne from whic (Whiskycircle) for the complimentary sample!

https://www.whisky-connaisseur.de/2018/07/20/aberlour-21yo-2018-whic-architecture-of-taste/

Nose

Clean and fresh on the nose with delicate notes of yellow fruits - peaches, apricots, pineapple and subtle ripe apples. Flavours of vanilla and honey with tender lemon curd and a hint of mint arrive, followed by a slightly floral note. The high alcohol content is noticeable but not pungent at all.

Taste

Bold, rich and sweet on the palate with lots of peaches, apricots, mango and pineapple. Very exotic. This is complemented by a warming spiciness of white pepper, oak and candied ginger, support by an alcoholic bite. Becomes drier with a touch of espresso notes, tobacco leaves and a not unpleasant hint of damped wood towards the finish. Significantly more spice with a second sip.

Finish

The finish is long, lingering sweet and fruity. Notes of malted barley with acacia honey, spiced oak and a touch of bitter orange on the tail.

With water: There's more yellow fruit coming through with a splash of water, supported by oak spice and white pepper. Creamy even oily on the palate with lots of fruit, nicely balanced with oak, ginger and pepper. The alcohol is significantly tamed. The finish is medium to long with creamy notes of vanilla and honey, followed by dry oak and hints of tobacco leaves.
whiskynews did not rate this whisky
17 Jul 2018 2:34 pm

Tasting Notes from whic:
Aroma: Opulent with fresh sweetness. Sweet freshness scent rises from the glass. Peach sirloin, papaya, candied and fresh pineapple and applesauce provide plenty of sweet fruit notes and give the whisky an exotic finish. Cotton candy, vanilla and honey continue the topic sweetness. The honey notes are already going in the direction of mead. Some black tea gives more depth and freshly cut grass gives the Aberlour an amazingly fresh touch.
Taste: sweet and full-bodied. Apricot jam and caramel make the fruity-sweet start. The age of the Aberlour shows up in aromatic tobacco notes, old wood and strong Kaffeeröstaromen. In general, this whisky has a nice strong body with earthy malt notes. Add freshly ground pepper and ginger.
Finish : Long-lasting and well-balanced between strong oak flavor and pleasant sweetness.

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