Whisky Review/Tasting: Aultmore 25 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Aultmore Distillery, established in 1897.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The whisky is aged for 25 years, with a significant portion of the maturation likely in cherry casks, as indicated by the flavor profile. The distillery has a history of expansion and modernization, including a period of doubling its capacity.
Age Statement: 25 years.
ABV: 46%, suggesting non-chill filtered.
Color and Clarity: Natural color, with slightly varied hues considered normal, indicating no artificial coloring and the influence of the casks on the whisky's appearance.
Bottle Design: The bottle and packaging emphasize its limited edition nature (batch number 0041 mentioned), with a total of 2200 bottles. The design includes a notable top and a bottle number, emphasizing its exclusivity.

General Tasting Notes: Heavily fruity with deep, ripe fruit notes, caramel, and vanilla. The presence of dark fruits suggests maturation in cherry casks. There's a strong, intense spiciness from the wood, with dark chocolate and coffee notes emerging, followed by cereals and a lighter, flowery note.
Balance of Flavors: The whisky offers a complex balance between sweet, ripe fruitiness and the spiciness of the wood, with a long, warm aftertaste where the fruitiness fades, revealing darker, more intense flavors.
Unique Characteristics: The absence of peat smoke ensures a smooth, clean taste, distinguishing it from peatier whiskies.

Distillery History: Aultmore Distillery has a rich history, including periods of silence during wartime due to cereal shortages and a significant expansion in 1970. It was sold to United Distillers in 1987, which later became part of Diageo, and eventually acquired by Bacardi in a significant transaction.
Production Insights: The distillery's decision to release a 25-year-old whisky, rather than younger age statements, suggests a commitment to quality and maturity, highlighting the distillery's strategic patience and emphasis on producing exceptional whisky.

Historical Context: Aultmore's history reflects broader trends in the Scotch whisky industry, including consolidation among major players and the strategic acquisitions of distilleries by global spirits companies.
Geographical Influence: The distillery's location in Scotland and its historical periods of silence due to external factors (e.g., wars, cereal shortages) underscore the impact of geographical and historical events on whisky production.

"Exceptional smoothness, re-wields. Our malted barley has no hint of peat smoke ensuring the smoothest, cleanest taste."
"It's extraordinary good whisky."
The reviewer appreciates the distillery's decision to wait until the whisky was 25 years old before releasing it, emphasizing the quality and maturity of the product.

Aultmore 25 years is a single malt Scotch whisky with a complex flavor profile, characterized by heavily fruity, ripe fruit notes, and a smooth, clean taste devoid of peat smoke.
The whisky is non-chill filtered, with a natural color and a 46% ABV, aged for 25 years, primarily in cherry casks.
The distillery has a rich history, including periods of expansion and modernization, and was acquired by Bacardi in a significant transaction.
The release of a 25-year-old whisky reflects a commitment to quality and maturity, with a limited edition of 2200 bottles emphasizing its exclusivity.

For Whisky Connoisseurs: The complexity and maturity of the Aultmore 25 years make it an excellent choice for experienced whisky drinkers seeking unique, aged whiskies with a rich flavor profile.
For Collectors: The limited edition nature, unique bottle design, and historical significance of the distillery make this whisky a valuable addition to any collection.
For Beginners: While the high price point and complex flavor profile may be daunting, beginners with a keen interest in exploring aged, non-peaty whiskies might find this an intriguing, albeit advanced, option.