🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

At a tasting this was served after the 16 Aberlour and he could put a shovel on his younger brother.

Yeah I like this, straightforward and not too heavy sherry wise.

Whisky that has the potential to be very nice for the day, smell promised a bit, but taste and finish do not seem to come out completely. For the good what is too dilute I think. Nevertheless, a pleasant dram.

Huge difference in maturity with the 16YO, especially in the nose.

[December, 2014] Together with friends I emptied a bottle that I bought for 61,50 Euro in September, 2014. In my old rating system (ten scales that translate into WB points: 50 - 66 - 75 - 80 - 82,5 - 85 - 87,5 - 90 - 92,5 - 95) I scored it 87,5. My notes state "without flaws and highlights". [December, 2019] I opened another bottle of batch LKPG 4686 that I bought for 61,50 Euro in September 2014 - so I can do proper tasting notes now... ...and this is a very quaffable balanced sherried dram with all ingredients (malt, sherry, wood) in perfect harmony. No, there are no highlights in terms of spectacular impressions or quick resp. hard taste buds hits and yes, this is good! I can quaff several drams of this "unspectacular" malt in a row while I will stop after the first sherry-monster-dram, usually (because these monsters own a "hit-and-run profile", meaning they inject bold first impressions but nothing new which is of interest after that).

Nice, fruity aroma. Soft and balanced. Strong and ripe. Oak flavors, a bit spicy, but nicely supported by the sherry. Gorgeous!

More matured and harder than the 15yo. Nice. 85/86.

2021 Rating

From a sample left over from Februarys MnC: https://whiskylovingpianist.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/mnc-a-shot-in-the-dark/ I felt this was worth of quiet consideration given how taken i was by it in February [88] - but can it stand up to close scrutiny at home? N: We have a 3% abv rise here, perhaps spelling out its intent towards a more ‘serious’ target audience? Smelling now a Lardy cake-sweetness with delicious raisins and a quiet & clean toffee=fudge=y fustiness with a strap of leather. Its far [clotted] creamier than the 12yo. Good stuff. T: A more alert on arrival than the 12yo. Moves quickly to an Ovaltine-y=Caramac-y-malty fudgy-ness with sour cream and light yet deepish woody notes. Beds in comfortably, the sherry element rising slowly but surely. A little bees wax and more raspberry=blackberry leaf tea [like the 12yo] later on. F: Turns in with a non-specific glow-like heat to a malty-barley>savoury=sweet finish. Biscuity woody=herbal-tea tannins at the death. C: Very good, again. Not quite as amazing as in February, but then this sample as been around awhile - different day, different me. The 12 & 18yo work really nicely together given the close family resemblance, whilst pairing them underlines their maturation & wood management differences, This nudges a point ahead given the extra depth, but both the 12 and this 18yo are both very competent. A very realistic proposition for those looking for a Macalla-ternative - a [cheaper] substitute for their beloved Macallan 18yo. £84 vs £179 [Aug ’17].Scores a B[-]

N- Deep and penetrating sourish citrus knock on the door, and open up to waves of coffee, fino sherry notes. Custard and fruit jelly build up with raisin, apricot kernel and baked apple. Complex. some smoked bacon and waxed meats. Interesting. P- Big spicy wood and sweet herbs. Loud and prominent honey mead with raisins and dried fruits. Finely rounded and affluent. F- Long. Warming, bit of bitter earth at the tail with lifted compote of fruits sweetness overlay, good strength and well matured. — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur. *** 1st Tried:- Jan 2016 / Weighted Rate:- 89pt N- Rich and sharp waves of chocolate with creamy fruits. Brandy soaked dried fruits and burnt grass providing a consistent nose warming sensation throughout when neat. P- Deep sherry, cinnamon and brandied raisin. A bit of soft vanilla to cheers things up with intense chili heat on mid palate. F- Energetic, echoing liquorice and minty finish follow after a touch of toasty burn on throat. Very chewy and spicy mouthfeel, warming. A still wild and raring to go further 18YO. — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

somewhat artificial, but still drinkable.

Nose: honey-sweet sherry, toffee, creamy-oily, candle wax, yummy juicy oranges with grated peel, clean, elegant, after the first sip the oranges become even more intense now also spicy wood in the background Taste: mild, delicate, very well integrated alcohol, honey sweetness with delicate-bitter fruitiness spread smoothly in the mouth, followed by a slight tingling which comes from the oak, certainly not from alcohol, light yet pleasant bitterness comes with the spice in the sooner short finish, very tasty Conclusion: The nose is far ahead, very seductive reminiscent of the intense orange note on Glenfarclas Edition No 20. Unfortunately, he bottled with 43%, at least 3% more would have done him good, it falls off for me on the palate noticeably against the Nose. A little weak and no dilution reserve to decode the fruit flavors in the sherry and not to dilute it.

Counter-intuitively, this initially appears less oaky and "mature" than the 16-year-old - but no less rich. Fruitier on the nose, with creamy and inviting notes of marzipan, baking spices, Jaffa Cakes and cherry pie. Caramel candy and berry jam. Bourbon brightness and sherry richness in sweet harmony (can we call it the Aberlour Effect?). There's also a soapy and floral aspect, but it's somewhere off in the distance. Judging from the nose, the bottling strength could stand a few extra percentage points, I have to say. Silky arrival that immediately segues into luscious fruity and sweet notes. Custard and cakes; chocolate- and fruit-topped petits-fours, to be precise. Very light - almost airy - with some orange blossom and milk chocolate coming through soon after the mid-palate. Sweet and pleasant, with reserved use of wood. Finishes on oak spices and cocoa/chocolate, with a juicy echo. No complaints here. Lovely Aberlour, no question. But I feel that this is catering to the masses too much; it feels somewhat too "round" and approachable and watered down. I would have liked more substance - maybe I shouldn't have had the unchillfiltered 12 beforehand.

A dangerously tasty standard would of course be great in CS.

Balanced, round, sherry, but rather discreet. Good, but a little boring.

I like the nose here, a really nice mild fruity aroma. Also in the mouth very tasty, but unfortunately also quite soft. Here, a slightly higher alcohol content probably would have done well and led to an even higher rating. Nevertheless, a tasty-tasty malt that does not overburden and arouse. Easy to drink and delicious without excitement.

On the nose: glue, spice, cinnamon, sherry then it stings at once, probably due to the opening of a new bottle! On the palate, the feeling of an old hooch, return of leather, wood, a little wax, no chocolate (I will have to re-add it several times!), Then the old-fashioned, maderised fruits stand out! In the final, the fruits explode little by little on a spicy background! Disappointed by a simple finish, flat and not very long, asks to be retested. retested: more fruit in the mouth and a finish that continues after on the same notes, but final so longer!

For the price a top malt, you always have in the house, here you do not go wrong.

- a very nicely matured, balanced single malt where you can taste the age and beautiful development of taste in the mouth - makes you want to more - for originally about 70 € still fully OK for the great Taste experience, but 130 and more ..... not me added value

I like the strong fruitiness of the nose and its change from green to ripe to overripe. The sherry is not so obvious here. The mouthfeel is great, the finish is also very nice, but still lacks that certain something. Notes from blind tasting.

The "Gentleman Dram" from Aberlour! Unfortunately it has now become quite expensive!

Not really a sherry monster. I prefer e.g. Glendronach 15yo Revival or 18yo Allardice.

A rock solid assemblage of sherry and bourbon influences, with 43% vol. Unfortunately a bit weak.

Very good

Compared to the Aberlour 12, the nose of the 18s is less fruity, but more marked by darker and older wood notes. The taste of the Aberlour 18 is very mild and delicious. Fine wood and chocolate flavors harmonize perfectly and are reflected in the finish again. An extremely delicious whisky! I like it very, very much!

I still remember that it was very woody and tart, with coffee and cocoa, but not sweet. I didn't like it that much.

Unfortunately, this adult has somewhat disappointed me over time. It was one of the few bottles that have declined with the oxidation. Unfortunately! The honest sherry gods were not superimposed at the beginning and in my view perfectly integrated. Then the whisky gave way, the notes became scarcer, the vanilla more present and much more did not come. In total over the 18 months but absolutely fine and the age comes out.

Many flavors, well balanced and harmonious. Nice!

Wonderfully light and mild sherry whisky, price and performance are absolutely right here. For beginners probably just as suitable as for long-term connoisseurs, although it might have been more for last last few percent by volume.

Not bad at all, but would be better at higher alcohol strength...

A solid, multifaceted, polished whisky that has excellent balance and depth. You want to drink this whisky slowly in small sips, stretching the pleasure.

Pleasant and very smooth. It shows its age in beautiful oak aromas. But it is also quite banal 74 points.

Wonderfully light, mild and also so well matured. Viewed from the PLV, one of the greats in whisky heaven. Respect for this bottling, because there is almost nothing to complain about here. And that's why: house whisky.

Aberlour is one of my favorites because, I love speysides for the malty tones and citrus notes. This Bottle I received from Master of Malt because, originally I ordered a 91'Glenrothes 09'Bottling which was on there website. Then when it arrived it was the 07'Bottling and they said, SORRY for are mistake we cant get 09' how about a full refund. I replied no thanks, how about the 18 yr Aberlour and WALAA!! So that is this story. Thanks to Master Of Malt and Lucy Lindfield for helping to make it right.

A fine, harmonious and well-balanced single malt with great aromas - 24.12.2014

easy drinking whisky, very pleasant but lacking a bit of punch and complexity. 87/100

Superb value for money dram.

Nose: Sweet, sherry, some nuts, hint of something sour-sweet. Taste: Classic sweet and sour speyside, soon the sherry comes in. Vanilla and something bitter. With water it really gets creamy and reminds me of vanilla soft-ice. Body: medium Finish: Medium. Sweet oranges. some sherry notes. With water it gets way sweeter and nicer. Price: For an 18yo very reasonable. Presentation: fine. not much of the marketing blablabla, just some info. Comments: I rather stick to the A`Bunadh, which is more a sherry monster, and a bit cheaper.

Great soft creamy paints. Typical sherry sweetness, everything harmonizes beautifully. Pleasant pleasing standard paints due to the new pricing policy falls slightly. Not in the taste!

good nose (combination of elegant oloroso and sweet pedro ximenez) with a slight touch of floral, wood and toffee. but fails on taste and finish, feels too watery, texture is light therefore the nice flavors on the nose doesn’t translate very well on the palate.

In promo, it can be found in France around 35-40 euros, a must have in sherry for this price (outside the revival), if you have the patience to let it all air, because, I tell you at the beginning I was really far from being packed (about 79 - 80 out of 100)

Competently crafted malt, not a sherry bomb but should be considered a "sherry whisky" despite the additional use of ex-bourbon casks. As long as the bottle was 70 cl and the price around 60 EUR it was well-positioned in my opinion as it is one of the weaker 18 yo out there just as Glenfarclas 18, 21 + 25 are solid malts but in no way express the pinnacle of official distillery bottles in their age range.

An older sherry casks whisky, probably refilled for the most part. The sherry influence is present, but not dominant, the oak is very present, behind it is a sour Brennereicharakter. I like it. Blind tasting! In a second (again blind) attempt, he does not like me so much anymore. In the first rating I came to 86, now only 84. So there is the average 85.

This is not a bad whisky, for sure, since it contains many nice balanced flavours. I guess it just does not really do it for me.

Class drops!

Tasty but simple and boring

What a pity this is bottled at 43% ABV. It loses its true potential of flavors. Despite the low ABV there is a rich color and sherried cask flavours .Juicy strawberries, plums and dried raisins. Nothing exceptional. Perfectly quaffable.

For me: not bad - but unbalanced, not round, not deep; the fruits are just hints, not steady …

A pleasantly fruity sherry malt from front to back in a delicate, diluted drinking strength of 43%. For me an 89-point pleasure that remains on the palate and in the finish on the more fleeting side. Not unlike a good Armagnac in its fruit perfume aromas ...

No whisky storming straight forward, takes his time in the glass, then with complex flavors, but a little too weak on the chest, I like the finish on the best

Good whisky if you find it at a reasonable price (45 €) as it can still be the case in supermarkets.

My 2nd Aberlour 18 Y, he was a birthday present. He has not gotten better, but not bad either. Well, I would not have bought it again. He is an easy drinking 18er, which does not overwhelm a beginner who tastes too. He does not do anything to anyone. For my taste, he is unfortunately too boring, just cut me too smooth.

The 70cl was there in mid-2018 still under 60 €. He was an outstanding standard for me.

More age will not improve this whisky. 18 yo in standard expression is the maximum. Do not use water or very little; Because of age, and sherry influence it does not cope with water well. Without water: recommended!

In cask strength that would be a very interesting candidate. But also very tasty and delicious.

It's a total winner. Highly underrated, right up there with the other 18-year sherry bad boys. Not over-rich, straightforward and enjoyable, and so highly drinkable.

Really a top whisky. Unfortunately I tried it after the strong barrel, so no information on how strong it is.

This one is a little chameleon and full of surprises. I've never had such perfumed notes on a malt, and I'm not sure whether I like it or not. I'm curious how he tastes me next time.

I still consider this Aberlour to be one of the most classic and honest sherry malts on the market. It is not only suitable for beginners, but also for "old hands". I like to use this Aberlour and can recommend it unreservedly.

Deep and oily, sweet and fruity w/ notes of strong black tea with orange marmalade decorated by chocolate. RATING: 87pts – |87 – 89 (B+) → Great| — Always nice to have a bottle of this.

The nose is very interesting. The floral and orange combo is really great! Surprisingly, there is little to be noticed in the mouth. Here, a duo of spices and bitterness take over - probably the oak is more important here. A big-bottle candidate from the nose. But I miss something when it comes to mouthfeel. Only seasoning and bitter is not enough for a purchase.

Tasty, ripe and very sweet.

a beautiful easy drinking paints the soft and beautiful flavors bring along but still quite light. simple but delicious!

I read quite some notes, that expressed disappointment. Can't understand that. I was surprised how well matured, rounded and how complex a quite affordable 18yo.- standard malt still can be. I like it very much and this one is (April 2015) still a very big bang for the buck.

Too bad it is so reduced. Aberlour is, in my opinion, a malt that does not hold up the reduction and to which the bole is doing very well (see A'Bunadh). Nevertheless it remains a pleasant malt and the price remains very attractive for a sherry 18 years in these days.

Fruity and fresh, especially with orange and peach, balanced, the short finish is somewhat disappointing, quite simple but tastes good.

At the beginning there may be some 'perfume' like impressions - these resolve into coffee, e.g. It is not that round and well-balanced so that I would buy it, but it really is a good standard quality with easy drinking-enjoyment and a really good price. Overall too unsteady though. Tasting with Armin Fuchs.

For me, this malt is completed. Do not know what I should miss here. He has absolutely met my taste and is very mature and ready. The scent is just heavenly

Proefolympics 2020 sample one its a blindtasting competition. The nose is the best part of this malt and after the revealing it is an Aberlour 18, the profile made sense. bottle date: 21.07.14

Fruity with a lot of depth

On the nose, typical bourbon aromas of caramel and vanilla. Behind it, fruity notes of sherry and orange. Slightly spicy and fruity sweet in the mouth. In the strong finish immediately sherry, then chocolate and oak. Grade: 2+

great fruit, easy drinking, looks ripe with decent oak, slightly complex, but not overwhelming, soft and round Notes from blind tasting

Nice balanced adult standard.

a well made, classic Speyside. 85/86

Nose: Very Fruity!!, banana, tropical fruits, sherry, very nice oak, honey and almonds Mouth: honey, sherry, oak, vanilla, flower nectar, caramel, creamy Finish: smooth, a bit oak, sherry, medium long and slightly creamy Comments: probably my favorite Aberlour so far, smooth and nicely balanced. Strong flavors and very fruity, especially the fruityness is great.

Creamy and smooth. Lots of butter, great warmth

Nose- Wonderful nose, bees wax, fresh honey, braked apples, floral, rosemary, herb, fruit cake, ginger, creme brulee, lime, sherry, oak and sticky toffee apples. Taste - Braked apples, apple juicy, sweet sherry, honey, toffee, spicy, oak, nutmeg. Finish - spice, with the oak becoming stronger and a decent long finish. Overall - The nose is complex and just heaven, an excellent nose for 18 years old. This needs time, leave the bottle open for an hour or 2. Not a beginners malt. 50/50 mix between the spirit and cask. I think older whisky is in here than just 18 year old.

The color is wonderful, a shade of amber with a slight slope into the reddish tones. But what use is that if you can't be sure whether it has been dyed here or not? The newer 18s from Aberlour are colored, but I can't find any information about this on the packaging or the label of this older bottling. It's a shame. On the nose, the Aberlour is initially very fruity with wood felling. I immediately think of juice oranges, very fruity and sweet but also a little bit scented. Green apple pieces (the sour Granny Smith apples), apricots and red grapes are added to the large bowl, before everything is drizzled with honey. In the background, a spicy wood note can be felt right from the start, the intensity of which blends in well and reminds me more of wooden beams from the Bauhaus than of grandma's old oak chest of drawers. For me, the sherry profile is typical for refilled sherry barrels, lovers of aromas of dark, boiled down fruits should prefer another bottle. Vanilla and milk chocolate complement the sherry barrel flavors. In the nose the Aberlour with its 43% looks very pleasant and not at all too mild or weak. A quite pleasing game of flavors that should also appeal to beginners. But when I think of the Glendronach 18, I have to say, unfortunately, that a class difference becomes clear as soon as I miss it. The Glendronach simply plays in a higher league. Unfortunately also in terms of price. In the mouth, the whisky looks a bit thin and watered down at first. But then a pepperiness settles on the tongue, which feigns a little power, but which is not really there. The fruit salad with honey is spreading out, but is now clearly spiced with pepper and the milk chocolate is now becoming darker. A light oak bitterness envelops the sweetness and fruitiness, a few raisins can be guessed in the background. And the wood, which reminds me of wooden beams from the Bauhaus and doesn't really meet my taste. Some cinnamon and leather lead over to the finish. I would describe the finish as medium. The tannins are now clearly dominant and make the finish quite spicy and tart with pepper, some cinnamon, tobacco and leather. Everything is enveloped in a very light mist, which is reminiscent of the honey and fruits that were still very present when we smelled. In conclusion, I can say that it was thanks to this whisky that I really wanted to delve deeper into the world of whisky. But I wouldn't buy a bottle anymore. The Aberlour 18 is not bad, but my own demands have changed so much over the years that I would like to offer this bottle to beginners to try, but I would not take the open bottle on the shelf myself. I got 84/100 points.

One word. Heavenly

for full review go to https://whiskyfacile.com/2014/01/30/aberlour-18-yo-2013-ob-43/

Consistency in nose and taste (nose could have been a bit more exciting even) with some good complexity and nice sherry influences. Balance score = 23/25 Total score = 84 pts A nice step-up from the 12yo DC and 15yo DC in complexity.

Unsurprisingly the best in Aberlour's standard range.

Aberlour is already one of our favourite distilleries thanks to the excellent a`bunadh. This 18 year old whisky was introduced in 2008 and is now one of the stars of the range: rich and fruity, with a great textured mouthfeel. A previous winner of a Gold Medal & Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Nice, soft and creamy whisky. Has a lot to offer and is easy to drink. Had him open for a long time and neither in the nose nor the first sip you notice the alcohol. Medium intensity in the flavors, as well as mid-length finish bring me to 87 points !!!

Drunk on the terrace, with a view of the Cazaux pond in 2018. Rather pleasant. So much so that I had decided to buy a bottle ... of 70cl of course. Ah damn, it was replaced by a bottle of 50? What do you mean at the same price? Are you sure? Ah ... so I pass my turn.

Always beautiful.

Very fine and harmonious malt for upscale everday-drinking :) 87/100

This one might take a couple of glasses emptied until gotten into. It does have character. Liqourice is at the forefront, accompanied by sour fruits. Not a bad dram, not bad at all.

The price / quality ratio of this Aberlour is undeniably excellent.

Very pleasant single malt that (again) 46% vol. would be better to face. Nevertheless, absolutely recommendable.

Here is the rating of WHISKYDREAM.de Aberlour 18 years The 18 years in the sherry barrel stored whisky has the typical golden brown color and also due to the barrel storage pleasant vanilla-sweet scent (caramel). Also present are notes of mash, which after a longer smell in the background step and make room for dull oak. (82) The sherry sweetness is superficial in the mouth, coupled with distinct but not unpleasant pepper and wood aromas. Later, a long taste of dark oak remains. (82) The departure of sweet oak wood spreads slowly, oily flowing from the mouth to the esophagus to the stomach. (83) Overall rating: 82 points Repurchase probability : 70% , quite a nice representative of the sherry whisky, but the competition (also in-house) is great ... More info: http://whiskydream-de.webnode.com/tastings-az/a/

A definition of what good whiskies should taste like, round and complex for an 18 yo. Honest price.

Good whisky but a bit dry.

It absolutely worth every penny! It's an orchestrated interaction between different flavors!