Aberlour 16yo Double Cask

Aberlour Double Cask
Aged 16 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$56

Last week, I reviewed the delightful Aberlour 15yo Sherry Wood Finish, and this week, we'll try her slightly older sister. She's also finished in a sherry cask, but there must be something different in the maturation process, because she's a very different malt than her kid sister...

Notes:

A deep, warm tawny color. She's got a full fruit nose: grapes, cherries, plums, apples, and lemons. She's smooth and creamy in the mouth, with more fruit and a kick of spice. Afterwards, I'm left with some serious cinnamon and nutmeg, and a nice warm feeling in the cockles of my heart. That's right -- in the cockles.

Not quite as light and soothing as her sister, the 16yo is nevertheless a joy to drink. This is a deeply satisfying malt, and an excellent digestif. And now, I shall drop the metaphor of these Aberlour whiskies to women, as it's beginning to sound creepy. After all, they're only teenagers!

And, strangely, there don't seem to be any good pictures of this dram online, which is why you're getting one taken by me of my own bottle. Plus, Aberlour's website doesn't mention it. Is it out of production...? That would be a shame.

Aberlour 15 yo Sherry Wood Finish, my long, lost love

Aberlour Sherry Wood Finish
Aged 15 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$60

This, dear friends, is the Scotch that started it all.

I received a bottle of it from a friend for Christmas in 2006. When I tried it, I was struck for the first time by how different one Scotch could be from another. This Aberlour was noticeably sweeter than the Glenlivet 12 I was used to, and a fair sight darker in color as well. From that moment forward, I became a true Scotch fan.

This is one of my favorite drams, so much so that I couldn't bear to finish the bottle. I've made it last until today, because I love it so, and because I can't find the blasted thing in any liquor store I visit anymore. I used to see it every now and then at Sam's Wine, but no longer. They don't even have a spot for it on the shelf now.

But I found a store online that still had a couple bottles in stock, so I ordered one, ridiculous shipping charges and all. Can't complain though -- it's so worth it. And now, I get to finally polish off this bottle of liquid joy.

Notes:

Beautiful tawny color. Sweet and fruity -- melon and bubblegum, with a trace of mint. Delicious and comforting. Soft, delicate, proud, and mellow.

Seriously, I'm in love. I want to marry this whisky. I want her to take my name and bear my children -- sweet, sherry-finished children. I know how our President feels about homosexuals, but what about whiskysexuals?