Aultmore 9 Year (2005), Signatory Vintage Cask 900116 for Stoller Wine & Spirits
Whisky: Aultmore 9 Year (2005), Signatory Vintage Cask 900116 for Stoller Wine & Spirits
Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside
ABV: 50.8%
Cask: Hogshead
Age: 9 Years (Distilled 9 April 2005, Bottled 16 March 2015)
Nose: Grassy and citrusy with chalk and a touch of talcum powder; creamy at times, though generally malty with jam pressed cookies, rock sugar, and a touch of peppery spirit— certainly youthful.
Palate: Medium-bodied with a lovely oiliness, malty and citrusy, jam biscuits and tea cookies with pepper and a touch of cream, tangerines and orange rind, watch oil, candied ginger; more orange oil and fruity extracts with time.
Finish: Medium to long with concentrated fruits, grass, and oak.
Score: 7 (83)
Mental Image: Summer Sangria by the Pool
Narrative & Notes: Brimming with youthful vigor and a touch of untamed spirit, this Aultmore was a prime example of the lovely, robust malt produced by the distillery. The flavors were crystal clear and well-defined, with watch and mineral oil providing some slightly dirty and mineral diversions to the fruity-malty backbone of the whisky. Despite the rock sugar and candied ginger notes, the whisky was never overly saccharine and maintained a refreshing balance— indeed, I bet this would be perfect over ice on a hot afternoon.
Overall, an ideal young malt— crystal clear, well-balanced flavors, good weight on the palate, a touch of pepper, and a long mellow finish. Just a touch more depth, maybe a bit more earth and a twist of funky underbrush or farm and this would have easily scored even higher. Great stuff.
Image Credit: Whisky.com
