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