A dozen days ago we published a very interesting interview with Gregor Hannah, an independent bottler under the Lady of the Glen brand. We thought it would be a good idea to try some of his expressions, and today we dwell on a 14-year-old Aberfeldy in ex-bourbon cask – we’re glad, because independent Aberlfedys are not particularly common, and it’s a shame because they’re often very enjoyable.
N: the alcohol shoots a little bit at the beginning, then it opens up with notes of banana (someone says green banana) and lemon melting candy. There is a lot of cereal, you can feel the raw material, and that’s something we like. With time the contribution of the barrel grows, while remaining always very fresh (thanks to a lot of lemon), with Paradiso cake (icing sugar and lemon cream) and vanilla.
P: the impact is still strong, but after a short while a sharp, fresh and very pleasant palate opens up. It strikes with a very strong lemon, with vegetal and malted barley scents. More lemon candies. Notes of wood, which are mixed and confused with a pleasant licorice stick. A slight white pepper hint.
F: licorice stick, lemon kernel, almond peel. Clean and fresh, with a balsamic sense.
Very pleasant and essentially honest: the freshness and acidity on the palate are very striking, making it practically a Highland Chardonnay. Ok, we could have saved this last one… However, we can’t spare ourselves the overall appreciation, which we represent with an 85/100.
Recommended soundtrack: Estas Tonne – The song of the Golden Dragon.
